It was revealed on Tuesday the former Liberal prime minister secretly appointed himself to the finance, treasury, health, home affairs and resources portfolios between March 2020 and May 2021.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking advice from the solicitor-general on whether Mr Morrison's actions have any legal implications.

Mr Morrison said in Sydney on Wednesday he had sworn himself into the extra portfolios in case of an emergency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But he admitted there was another reason, unrelated to the pandemic, to take on the resources portfolio held by Keith Pitt, giving him the power to reject the PEP-11 gas exploration licence.

"I don't regret that for a second, and I don't think anyone who went surfing off the New South Wales coast this week - up around Newcastle, or the Central Coast, or off the Northern Beaches - would take any issue with a prime minister who lived up to his word and considered this matter from first principles," he said.

"It's about the prime minister making a decision in the national interest and protecting our environment.

"I suspect the people who live on the New South Wales Central Coast, and Hunter Coast, and the Northern Beaches of New South Wales will be forever grateful."

The decision made in 2021 is now the subject of a Federal Court appeal.

Mr Albanese said specific questions were asked in parliament about the project during the coalition's term in government.

"At no stage did minister Pitt or prime minister Morrison at the time say 'well actually that was a decision made by minister Morrison', not as prime minister but as minister for resources," he said,

Local surfers have called on Mr Albanese to honour his pre-election commitment to rule out the gas exploration licence.

Former resources minister Mr Pitt on Monday would not comment on the court matter but said he had discharged his responsibilities in accordance with ministerial standards, the cabinet handbook and legislation.

Australian Associated Press