Anthony Albanese has formally established an independent inquiry into Scott Morrison's secret portfolio scandal.

It comes two weeks after it was revealed Morrison had secretly appointed himself into five ministerial roles during the pandemic while prime minister.

The inquiry will be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell, and its report will be provided by November 25 this year.

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"We need to have a quick and appropriate inquiry which is not about the politics but about how this happened, why it happened, who knew about it," Albanese said.

"We need to have transparency in the process because our system of parliamentary democracy relies upon conventions, relies upon the Westminster system of checks and balances."

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the inquiry into Scott Morrison's secret portfolios was "required" and "absolutely made necessary by the solicitor-general's advice".

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"We need to make sure this can never happen again," Dreyfus said.

"(Justice Virginia Bell) will be able to make concrete recommendations to our government so that we make sure that no future government can ever do what Mr Morrison did."

Morrison could be compelled to attend the inquiry into his secret portfolios if necessary.

"I would find it extraordinary if anyone refused to talk to a former High Court judge who is, I think, beyond reproach," Anthony Albanese said.

"I don't think it will require compulsion. 

"But if it was the case that Virginia Bell felt like she was not getting the cooperation that was required, then I'm certain that other measures could be considered."

Albanese said he had not spoken to his predecessor on this matter.

EXPLAINED: The Morrison secret portfolio story

He dismissed the suggestion the inquiry could turn into a "political witch-hunt".

"I do note that a range of former prime ministers have said that they would not have done this action," Albanese said. 

"I note that Peter Dutton seems to have been dismissing the significance of this."

He touted Justice Virginia Bell as "someone far removed from politics".

"The fact that we have such an eminent person undertaking this inquiry, I think, means that it should be welcomed by all who hold our parliamentary system of democracy dear," he said.

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Dreyfus noted three former Liberal prime ministers, John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, all expressed their concern over Morrison's actions.

"The three past Liberal prime ministers of our country have, all of them, condemned this conduct," Dreyfus said.

"I'm very happy that Ms Bell has agreed to undertake this inquiry, and to undertake it expeditiously."

The inquiry's deadline of November 25 will allow the government to take legislative action in the last two sitting weeks of parliament of the year, Dreyfus said.

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A whale has been rescued after becoming trapped in shark nets off the coast of Noosa, marking the tenth time a whale has been trapped in Queensland this year.

Drone footage was captured of the tired humpback heavily ensnared in the nets off Noosa Main Beach by hobbyist drone pilot Tom Loubardi this morning, prompting a rescue mission.

Loubardi, who was called to the scene around 7am said seeing the trapped whale was incredibly distressing.

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"I was very sad, I am trying to record as much as I can because I love animals and I love whales a lot," he said.

"It's something you don't expect and don't want to see- it was a very sad moment."

Loubardi said he had seen another whale calf become trapped in the same shark net in October last year.

"I know these shark nets kill so many animals from turtles, dolphins, big fish- I don't think we need shark nets on the coast," he said.

"Everywhere in Australia has the same problem it's just killing wildlife and animals everywhere- not good."

Loubardi said the whale remained motionless after its rescue before swimming away.

"Who knows what the stress will make to the whale, very sad news," he said.

A spokesperson from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said rescue crews were able to free the whale around 9am this morning.

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"The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol's Marine Animal Release Team (MART) was quickly on scene to unpick the net from the 8-metre whale's tail," the spokesperson said.

"This was the tenth activation for MART this year."

The incident is the latest in a series of entrapments this whale season, prompting renewed calls to address the risks of shark nets on Australian beaches.

Earlier this week, a juvenile humpback became trapped in shark nets off the coast of Currumbin, on the Gold Coast, before it was rescued by the Sea World rescue team.

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Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the nets would not be removed until it was deemed safe to do so.

"Protection of human life will always come first under the Palaszczuk Government," he said.

"We continue to invest in innovation in the Shark Control Program, but we will make no changes unless we are convinced they can be safe and appropriate in Queensland conditions."

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The Victorian Government is set to face a class action over its alleged mismanagement of Victoria's COVID-19 hotel quarantine program following a Supreme Court ruling.

The class action is being led on behalf of Victorian businesses and seeks to force the government to pay for losses suffered during the state's second lockdown.

Victoria's second lockdown began in July 2020 after coronavirus spread from the state's quarantine hotels into the community.

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Victoria's Supreme Court Justice John Dixon today ruled the class action could proceed.

Lawyer Damian Scattini from Quinn Emanuel Trial Lawyers, who is leading the class action, is arguing a second lockdown could have been avoided if the "hotel quarantine program had been handled competently by the people in charge".

"When the Victorian Government decided to run a mandatory hotel quarantine program, it took on a duty to ensure it was managed properly," he said.

Scattini said the class action was representing tens of thousands of businesses that suffered financial loss because of Victoria's second lockdown.

"We are in the early stages and already, we've been inundated with calls and emails from thousands of business owners across Victoria, from hospitality and retail to fitness and beauty, who are desperate for help.

"One gym owner went from earning $10,000 a week to $50 a week. The lead plaintiff is a restaurant owner who, like many hospitality venues, had to pivot to a local take-away offering and was forced to cease dine in operations. These businesses are still struggling."

WorkSafe has already charged Victoria's health department with 58 breaches of the Occupation Health and Safety Act over the quarantine program.

The watchdog has alleged the Department of Health failed to provide a safe working environment for employees and non-employees and put them at risk.

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