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Ex-coalition treasurer Josh Frydenberg has unloaded on his former leader, ahead of the release of a report into how and why Scott Morrison secretly took on multiple ministries when he was prime minister.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Morrison appointed himself minister of the departments of health, finance, industry, science, energy and resources, treasury and home affairs, without the knowledge of the appointed ministers.

An "angry, hurt, confused, dumbstruck" Mr Frydenberg has told author and Nine newspapers columnist Nikki Savva his leader still hasn't apologised for his actions.

"I don't think there was any reason for Scott to take on the additional Treasury portfolio," he told Ms Savva, according to an extract from her upcoming book on the Morrison regime published on Friday.

"The fact he did take it, and it was not made transparent to me and others, was wrong and profoundly disappointing.

"It was extreme overreach."

Former High Court judge Virginia Bell was asked by Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on August 26 to inquire into the portfolios issue, after the solicitor-general found Mr Morrison's action had "fundamentally undermined" the principles of responsible government.

Mr Albanese asked for the inquiry to explore how and why the action was taken and who knew about it.

The solicitor-general found it was "impossible for the parliament to hold ministers to account for the administration of departments if it does not know which ministers are responsible for which departments".

Mr Morrison appointed himself to administer the departments of health; finance; industry, science, energy and resources; treasury; and home affairs.

Ms Bell was also asked to look at the implications arising from the appointments for the functioning of departments and for accountability and public confidence in government.

She will make recommendations to the government on any changes which could provide greater transparency and accountability.

The government has pledged to start work on implementing any recommendations as early as next week.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley dismissed reports the coalition had determined to downplay the severity of Mr Morrison's actions and said it would support closing the loophole that was exploited.

She did not comment on reports the former prime minister refused to be interviewed for the inquiry.

"The important thing is what the current Liberal leadership has said about those events and what might happen going forward and we absolutely are committed to dealing with it," she told ABC Radio.

"If legislative change is required we will support it."

Former Liberal prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull have all expressed concerns about Mr Morrison's action.

The health and finance portfolio roles began in March 2020, while he started as industry minister in April 2021, and home affairs and treasury in May 2021.

He justified the action by saying the only time he used his extra powers was in vetoing the PEP11 resource exploration project off the NSW coast.

Mr Morrison intended the powers to be used only in extreme circumstances "due to incapacity or in the national interest".

They had not been made public because there was no consistent process for publication, he said, but in any case, the authorities were legally valid.

"I can only state that I took the decisions I did as prime minister with the best of intentions to do all I could to protect Australia in the face of multiple crises," he said in a statement in August.

© AAP 2022

Throngs of spectators have lined the streets of New York as colourful, high-flying balloons helped usher in the holiday season during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The annual tradition, which dates back nearly a century, packed streets as a procession of giant inflatables and floats streamed for more than 40 blocks from Central Park to Herald Square.

Children balanced atop metal barricades and hung from scaffolding to watch the balloons amid mostly sunny skies and a slight breeze.

"Blue, Blue. There's Blue," yelled Divyam Kumar, six, as his father helped balance him and his four-year-old brother Aanu Aryan on a metal rail.

The youngster was referring to the star of the animated show Blue's Clues - not to be confused with the international cartoon sensation Bluey, an Australian cattle pup making her parade debut.

Bluey's balloon towered as tall as a four-storey building and stretched as wide as seven taxi cabs.

Stuart, the one-eyed Minion, was also there to thrill the crowd.

But it was Snoopy that especially caught the eye of Brenner Chenenko, eight, even more so than the more contemporary pups.

"It's one of the classics," said the youngster from Rochester, New York, who lined the parade route with his father Nate and grandfather John Wopperer.

It was the first time the father and son had seen the parade in person.

Wopperer last saw a parade live three years ago, before the pandemic sidelined the event for a year.

Snoopy, dressed as an astronaut, was followed by another old-time favourite: Papa Smurf.

This year's parade featured 16 giant balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 12 marching bands, 10 performance groups, 700 clowns and one Santa Claus.

The procession of characters were joined by singer Paula Abdul, in her first parade appearance; indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums; boy band Big Time Rush; Blue's Clues & You! host Josh Dela Cruz; singer Gloria Estefan; gospel singer Kirk Franklin; actor Mario Lopez; reggae star Ziggy Marley; and Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles.

Singers Joss Stone, Jordin Sparks and Betty Who were also part of the festivities, as were the stars of Peacock's Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin - Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg.

Jimmy Fallon & The Roots were on a float celebrating Central Park.

US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden called into the parade, as he did last year.

Biden thanked firefighters, police officers and first responders, saying, "They never take a break".

They thanked US troops and Biden said he would be reaching out to speak to some on Thursday.

Asked about their plans for the day in Nantucket, Massachusetts, the Bidens said it would involve family, and some time spent locally, thanking first responders.

© AP 2022

From airfares to eczema cream, Australians will be snapping up bargains as Black Friday boosts retail sales just before Christmas.

This year, the annual consumer event is set to see a record $6.2 billion change hands over four days in total - with the purchases of an expected 11 million shoppers to eclipse the traditional Boxing Day shopping frenzy.

Australia's largest bricks and mortar centre, Chadstone in Melbourne's southeast, will be buzzing with sales offering up to 70 per cent off.

Retailers like LKSD will slash up to 70 per cent storewide, while Bevilles Jewellers is offering up to 50 per cent off diamonds and gold jewellery.

Myer stores across Australia will feature an extensive range of discounts, with 40 per cent off brands like Levi's and Tommy Hilfiger and 50 per cent off homewares.

"Myer's Black Friday Sales have become synonymous with Christmas and are a fantastic way for Australians to stretch their dollar further to fulfil all their Christmas needs," chief customer officer Geoff Ikin said.

"There's no doubt Black Friday sales are getting bigger and better each year and we know our offers won't disappoint."

Gold Coast skin care company MooGoo says interest in its products is already in full swing.

"We've seen a 500 per cent increase on usual sales," boss Craig Jones said.

"The biggest sellers are the Eczema Cream, Clear Zinc sunscreen and baby products.

"Every day this week we have been receiving an order of our skincare products every minute."

Airline Jetstar is also getting in on the action by offering over 50,000 sale fares for flights from January on.

Domestic tickets will start from $39 with those for trans-Tasman routes from $209.

However, shoppers are being urged to stay vigilant against phishing emails and texts, amid the bargain hunting.

A survey by cybersecurity company NordVPN found nearly seven million Australians shoppers have fallen victim to online scams.

Thousands are also expected to "chuck a sickie" and give work the flick so they can take advantage of the weekend's bargains.

© AAP 2022