Michael Johnsen to be interviewed by police after rape claim

Member for Upper Hunter Michael Johnsen is to be interview by police over rape allegations, which he strongly denies.

Suspended Nationals MP Michael Johnsen will be interviewed by police on Friday as part of an investigation into an allegation he raped a sex worker in 2019.

An allegation he strongly denied by saying “I am confident any investigation will conclude that I am an innocent party”.

The bombshell claim, first revealed in parliament on Wednesday by Shadow Minister for Women Trish Doyle, plunged Gladys Berejiklian into minority government after Mr Johnsen moved to the crossbench.

Upper Hunter Nationals MP Michael Johnsen has strongly denied the allegations.

Labor Leader Jodi McKay yesterday revealed she knew about the rape allegation 18 months ago but said she did not refer it to police as it was not her place to tell the sex worker’s story.

“Our job as female MPs is to provide support, and ensure that whoever is in this situation understands what support is available and the services that are there,” she said.

“If that woman came to me it is my job to make sure that she knew what the options were, and to support her.”

Ms Doyle did not tell her leader she was going to raise the matter in parliament.

She assured Ms McKay the alleged victim wanted her story told in parliament.

Police Minister David Elliott on Thursday accused Labor of trying to score political points by revealing the matter in parliament.

Shadow Minister for Women Trish Doyle revealed the allegations in parliament on Wednesday but didn’t name the accused member. Picture: Tim Hunter.

He said Police Commissioner Mick Fuller informed him of the investigation “not long after the member for Blue Mountains politicised an ongoing police investigation”.

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres also criticised Ms Doyle for using parliamentary privilege to level an allegation of rape at a then-unnamed government MP.

“Privilege exists for a very specific purpose,” he said, suggesting that making allegations against an unnamed MP cast a shadow on all Government men in the lower house.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday said she was “absolutely shocked at this serious allegation’’ but “somewhat relieved that it’s subject to a police investigation”.

Earlier on Thursday Mr Johnsen was suspended from the National party membership “pending the NSW police investigation” into rape allegations.

One Nationals source said Mr Johnsen would not be the candidate in 2023.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian entered this government with a majority and now relies on members who are facing investigations to hold onto power. NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

It comes after Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s parliamentary majority was wiped out after Mr Johnsen had earlier “agreed” not to sit in the Nationals and Coalition party room.

That has put Mr Johnsen onto the crossbench and the government into minority, Liberal sources confirmed.

If other members of the crossbench oppose government legislation in parliament, the Coalition will be forced to rely on the votes of Mr Johnsen, who is under police investigation following an allegation of rape, and Drummoyne MP John Sidoti – himself under the cloud of an imminent ICAC hearing relating to developer dealings.

John Sidoti. Picture: Dean Lewins

Ms Berejiklian said she had “not given too much thought” to whether Mr Johnsen not sitting in the Nationals party room would put the Coalition into minority government.

With Mr Sidoti and Mr Johnsen on the crossbench, the Coalition has 46 members in the lower house – including Speaker Jonathan O’Dea. The Opposition and crossbench number 47 MPs, including Mr Sidoti and Mr Johnsen.

A Labor source said the party hasn’t seen Mr Sidoti in the house for votes all week, and the government has confirmed Mr Johnsen will take time off from parliament.

With both men absent, the government has 45 votes against 45 non government votes.

This means the Liberal speaker would be required to use a casting vote to resolve any divisions.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro asked for Mr Johnsen’s resignation on Thursday as the investigation was ongoing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Nationals Leader John Barilaro issued a statement on Thursday saying he “sought Mr Johnsen’s resignation” as parliamentary secretary.

“Mr Johnsen also agreed to no longer sit in Nationals Party Room nor Joint Party Room while the police investigation is underway.”

Mr Johnsen on Wednesday night said he had “voluntarily spoken with NSW police” after allegations he said he was “devastated by”.

“I am confident any investigation will conclude that I am an innocent party,” he said.

The Premier on Thursday has been forced to cancel a picture opportunity on Thursday morning to visit and thank SES volunteers to get back parliament.

Ms Berejiklian said she was “absolutely shocked at this serious allegations that were raised” by Labor’s Trish Doyle in parliament.

The Premier said she was “somewhat relieved that it’s subject to a police investigation”.

“I think all of us want to make sure that justice is served well and properly, and the alleged victim needs to be able to have a process where nothing is prejudiced,” Ms Berejiklian said

“I’m limited in what I can say suffice to say that I’m grateful that the police are investigating the matter. And all of us want to get to the bottom of it.”