NSW MP Michael Johnsen denies rape allegation made in parliament

Labor Leader Jodi McKay said she knew an allegation Nationals MP Michael Johnsen raped a sex worker 18 months before it was raised in parliament.

Upper Hunter Nationals MP Michael Johnsen has denied the allegations made under parliamentary privilege on Wednesday.

Labor Leader Jodi McKay said she knew about an allegation Nationals MP Michael Johnsen raped a sex worker 18 months ago, shortly after the woman first contacted Labor frontbencher Trish Doyle.

Both Labor MPs worked to support the woman involved, and did not go to police, Ms McKay said.

“It was not up to us to tell someone’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.”

Upper Hunter Nationals MP Michael Johnsen.

Ms Doyle did not tell her leader she was going to raise the matter in parliament on Wednesday night. The Shadow Minister for Women assured Ms McKay the alleged victim wanted her story told in parliament.

“I’m really supportive of what (Ms Doyle) has done, as long as this woman is looked after.

“This woman has made the decision to tell her story and that is so brave,” Ms McKay said

Mr Johnsen has issued a statement on Wednesday identifying himself as the man at the centre of a rape allegation, saying “any investigation will conclude I am an innocent party”.

He said he would take leave immediately, step aside from the government party rooms and co-operate with police inquiries.

No charges have been laid.

Mr Johnsen’s statement said: “I am devastated by these allegations.”

“I have voluntarily spoken with NSW police and I have and will continue to fully co-operate with their enquiries.

Blue Mountains NSW Labor MP Trish Doyle, who made the accusation under parliamentary privilege on Wednesday. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Without admission, I have chosen to step aside from my Parliamentary Secretary role, and will not sit in the Nationals Party Room nor the Joint Party Room.

“I will be taking leave effective immediately for a short duration.

“As the matter is with the NSW Police I will make no further public comment.”

In a statement released early this morning, NSW Nationals Leader John Barilaro said he “sought Mr Johnsen’s resignation from his role as Parliamentary Secretary and he duly resigned.”

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

Police on Wednesday night confirmed the child abuse and sex crimes squad are investigating the bombshell allegation, which was revealed by Labor shadow Minister for Women Trish Doyle.

Ms Doyle told parliament she had been contacted by a sex worker 18 months ago who said she had been raped by a NSW government MP in the Blue Mountains town of Yellow Rock.

Ms Doyle said the woman had responded to an advertisement on a personals classifieds site seeking a specific sex service and then met the man who was “travelling home from Sydney”.

“She had responded to the client via a website called Locanto. He had posted a wanted ad seeking a BBJ with CIM, and was offering $200,” Ms Doyle said.

“It was an arrangement for oral sex only.

“She tells me that she made herself clear that she was not willing to have penetrative sex with him.

Ms Doyle went on to make allegations about what happened.

NSW State Parliament on Macquarie Street, Sydney.

“However, towards the end, the man moved around behind her and assaulted her in a way she had not consented to.

“This fear hurt and anger is not something any woman should be made to feel,” Ms Doyle said of the allegations.

Ms Doyle said the woman had sent emails to her.

“In her emails to me she said that once the assault began she just wanted it to finish. But on that she was emphatic. It was an assault. It was against her explicit instructions. She did not consent, it was rape,” she told parliament.

“She also discussed with him aspects about her family life and a shared interest in local artworks and regional galleries.”

Ms Doyle said the woman initially didn’t want to make a formal complaint to police as “she did not trust the processes available”.

However, the MP said that following encouragement from the Sex Workers Outreach Project, the woman decided to come forward.

“She has made such a report and then inquiries are underway,” Ms Doyle said.

NSW police said last night in a statement detectives were investigating allegations of sexual violence against a woman in the Blue Mountains in September 2019.

“The matter was reported and referred to the squad in late September 2020 and has been under investigation since,” the statement said.

“As the inquiries are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide any further details.”

The police minister was alerted yesterday about the investigation as per protocol.

Mr Johnsen was elected in 2015 and appointed parliamentary secretary for agriculture and a member of the committee of parliamentary privilege and ethics in 2019.

Originally published as NSW MP Michael Johnsen denies rape allegation made in parliament