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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has chastised his predecessor for making light of secretly taking on five portfolios during the pandemic.

Scott Morrison, who was sworn in to oversee the departments of health, finance, treasury, resources and home affairs, on Thursday commented on memes and posted photoshopped images of himself in various groups, including as the head of the NRL's Cronulla Sharks.

Mr Albanese expressed dismay at Mr Morrison's actions on Friday.

"This undermining of the parliamentary system of government, of the whole Westminster system and our democratic traditions of accountability, are something that aren't a laughing matter," he told the ABC.

"I'm surprised at the response of Mr Morrison to this but then again, I frankly was shocked by the revelations."

"I'm also somewhat surprised that there's been no concept that there's a need to say to the Australian people that the wrong thing was done."

Former coalition government minister Angus Taylor said he didn't think it was necessary for Mr Morrison to apologise to him for secretly taking on his portfolio.

"My working relationship with him was very positive," he told 2GB.

"I also felt this shouldn't become a distraction from the big issues we're facing right now."

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has taken aim at upcoming legal advice from the solicitor-general on the former prime minister's actions.

The solicitor-general is expected to advise the government on Monday, following revelations of Mr Morrison's series of confidential ministerial appointments between March 2020 and May 2021.

Monday's advice was unlikely to provide "anything further than probably another opportunity for the prime minister to have a whack", Mr Dutton told Sydney radio station 2GB.

"And I think most people, frankly, want to move on and start dealing with issues that are more important."

Mr Morrison could face questions from parliament's powerful privileges committee over the secret appointments.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has written to House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick requesting the matter of whether he misled parliament be examined by the committee.

A spokesman for Mr Dick told AAP he was considering the matter.

The former prime minister has apologised personally to coalition colleagues he had secretly shared a ministry with.

Mr Morrison said he kept the roles confidential as he did not want to "undermine the confidence of ministers in the performance of their duties".

He said he only used the extra powers once, to block a gas drilling project off the NSW coast.

That decision, made in 2021, is the subject of a Federal Court appeal.

© AAP 2022

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being urged to make two key changes to how ministers are appointed in the wake of the fallout from Scott Morrison's secret appointments.

Mr Morrison took on the health, finance, treasury, home affairs, industry, science, energy and resources portfolios between March 2020 and May 2021.

Mr Albanese will receive advice from the solicitor-general on Monday on whether the former prime minister's actions gave rise to any legal or constitutional problems, then make any necessary changes.

University of Sydney constitutional law professor Anne Twomey said two steps could be taken to make the system more transparent.

She said the commissions handed to ministers by the governor-general to administer departments needed to be published in the Federal Register of Legislation.

And the arrangements made between ministers within portfolios which divided responsibility should also be made public.

"There are holes in the system and the best way to try plug them is to be increasing transparency in relation to who holds the power to administer various departments and exercise statutory power," she told AAP.

The prime minister chastised his predecessor for making light of his actions.

Mr Morrison commented on memes and posted photoshopped images of himself in various groups, including as the coach of the NRL's Cronulla Sharks.

"This undermining of the parliamentary system of government, of the whole Westminster system and our democratic traditions of accountability, are something that aren't a laughing matter," Mr Albanese told the ABC.

"I'm somewhat surprised that there's been no concept that there's a need to say to the Australian people that the wrong thing was done."

Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley said it was "the great Australian tradition to take the mickey out of yourself".

Liberal senator Simon Birmingham said Mr Morrison got the "big calls" right, which included the COVID-19 pandemic, and deserved that to be "the main part of his legacy".

However, he told Sky News: "On these administrative arrangements around the administering of different departments, he clearly got some things wrong."

Former coalition government minister Angus Taylor said he didn't think it was necessary for Mr Morrison to apologise to him for secretly taking on his portfolio.

"My working relationship with him was very positive," he told 2GB.

Australian Republic Movement deputy chair Meredith Doig said the revelations were a demonstration of a "broken" system.

"What we've learnt is that we can't rely on the old constitutional conventions of the British system and we need to be protected from a prime minister seeking to accumulate American-style presidential powers," Dr Doig said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said people wanted the Labor government to "move on and start dealing with issues that are more important".

Mr Morrison could face an inquiry by parliament's powerful privileges committee over the secret appointments.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has written to House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick requesting the matter of whether the former prime minister misled parliament be examined by the committee.

A spokesman for Mr Dick told AAP he was considering the matter.

Mr Morrison has personally apologised to his former ministers.

He argued earlier in the week he had kept the roles confidential as he did not want to "undermine the confidence of ministers in the performance of their duties".

He said he only used the extra powers once, to block a gas drilling project off the NSW coast.

That decision, made in 2021, is the subject of a Federal Court appeal.

© AAP 2022

An understrength Penrith have secured their second NRL minor premiership in three years with a thrilling 26-22 defeat of red-hot South Sydney at Accor Stadium.

An ankle injury put his season in doubt a week ago and his night was stymied by two bombed tries, but Panthers back-rower Liam Martin stood up when it counted, capping his miraculous recovery with the defending premiers' match-winning try in the last two minutes.

"It's been a tremendous three-year period for the club," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said, reflecting on securing another minor premiership with two games to spare.

"Having said that, when we start the finals in two weeks' time (the minor premiership) is not going to mean that much."

Still without three of their best in Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris (suspensions) and Jarome Luai (knee injury), the task was lofty for Penrith on Thursday night.

The Rabbitohs, virtually at full strength, had lost just once since Latrell Mitchell's recovery from his hamstring injury (in golden point) and had averaged more points than any other side in games since the representative round.

But, inspired by their own fullback Dylan Edwards' return from injury, the Panthers rediscovered the physicality that eluded them against Melbourne last week and took it up to the Rabbitohs in a match of finals-like intensity.

Penrith had the mental edge early when Stephen Crichton pounced on a wayward South Sydney pass and streaked away for an intercept try - just as he did against the Rabbitohs in the 2021 Grand Final.

The Rabbitohs announced their intentions to attack wide and struck back through winger Alex Johnston, who has now scored at least one try in each of his last seven games.

Errors began creeping into South Sydney's game just as they did earlier in the season but both sides blew their share of chances.

Martin bombed two tries in goal, while Souths winger Jaxson Paulo coughed the ball up twice on the burst and knocked on in goal himself.

The Panthers looked ready to go on with the contest after Spencer Leniu pounced on the ball in goal, which had been knocked back by his old rival Jai Arrow.

But the Rabbitohs' famous edge attack produced two tries to keep Souths in the fight, the second coming after some classy quick hands from Cody Walker allowed Johnston to dot down for his second try.

When Paulo knocked on yet again in the danger zone, the Panthers were in position to secure a heart-stopping win.

"There have probably been three or four games this year where in the dying stages, we've come up with individual errors and on the back of those conceded points," lamented Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou.

"It's something we need to fix going into the big games."

It was a mixed night for superstar Mitchell, who was made to work harder at the back than he would have liked by Sean O'Sullivan and his long kicking game.

Mitchell threw a beautiful ball that helped Souths equalise just before halftime and slotted the sideline conversion that gave the Rabbitohs the lead for the first time with 10 minutes to play.

But he came up with some hospital passes that put serious pressure on his teammates, particularly when the game was in the balance late.

"That's what (the Panthers) do, they put pressure on you in the back of the field," Demetriou said.

The loss all but confirmed South Sydney won't finish the season in the top four.

© AAP 2022