Susie O’Brien: What must be done about 1988 rape claim against cabinet minister

Scott Morrison is not in a position to decide whether a now-cabinet minister raped a teenager in 1988. But it’s a question that needs answering.

The Prime Minster is not in a position to decide guilt or innocence of the now cabinet minister accused of raping a teenager back in 1988.

This is why he should establish an independent review headed by an experienced former judge to investigate the claims.

Scott Morrison has dismissed calls for such an inquiry, saying the man in question has denied the claims.

Of course, the minister denied them — wouldn’t you expect him to?

“I had a discussion with the individual, who absolutely rejects the allegations,” Morrison said on Monday.

“At this stage there are no matters that require my immediate attention.”

He is seriously mistaken about this. People want and deserve action from the Prime Minister.

Morrison’s self-belief in his ability to wish away such a grave issue reflects the arrogance and misogyny at the heart of the current crisis in Parliament House.

It’s also not enough for Morrison to request that victims of sexual assault go to the police. He knows full well that the female complainant in this case took her own life last year, making police action difficult, if not impossible.

Morrison appears hypocritical in describing the allegations as “distressing” but doing nothing about them.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Kirribilli House on March 01

The cabinet minister at the centre of rape allegations should stand aside while an independent inquiry investigates the claims against him.

Standing aside is no presumption of guilt; it is an acknowledgment of the seriousness of the allegations, and a mark of respect for the Australian people who voted for him.

There is no other alternative. He must name himself and step down from his ministerial duties while the claims are investigated.

Already his name is being whispered in media and parliamentary circles.

It is only a matter of time before it is reported by victims’ groups or spoken under parliamentary privilege on the floor of the house. This will make his position as a cabinet minister untenable.

If he is innocent, then he will surely be cleared by an investigation.

We cannot have someone being involved in continuing to run our country with such serious allegations hanging over them.

The people of Australia deserve accountability. We need to know whether one of our main lawmakers forced a teenage girl to have sex with her against her will.

The focus at all times should be on obtaining justice for the complainant in a manner that’s also fair on the alleged perpetrator.

The alleged rape victim left behind considerable evidence of the alleged crime, which she said took place in Sydney when she was 16. This includes a statement to NSW Police prepared with her solicitor, numerous documents and extensive diaries.

The allegations have left many in Parliament House deeply shocked as it follows Brittany Higgins’ allegation of being raped by a colleague

SA Police have been involved and were also ready to play their part last year but were hampered by border closures. The investigation was only suspended when the woman died.

While women don’t usually make up allegations of sexual assault, the alleged perpetrator deserves a presumption of innocence.

While some will say the minister — regardless of outcome — will be condemned as guilty anyway, this should not be assumed. Perhaps he can be comforted by the fact that if the woman was alive, he would possibly be facing criminal charges, resulting in a lengthy jail term.

An inquiry, while difficult, at least gives him a chance of clearing his name.

It’s a case that’s left many in Parliament House deeply shocked, particularly given that it follows Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins’ allegation of being raped by a colleague in a minister’s office. Three more women have now made claims against the staffer.

The bigger picture is the male domination of Parliament House, the lack of accountability, and the tribal party system which demands cover-ups of inconvenient truths.

Discussion has highlighted the reign of the “swinging d--ks” that stop the progression of senior women and the “slut-shaming” of female politicians.

It appears the Prime Minister is spectacularly ill-equipped to deal with these issues.

Maybe he could ask his wife for her wise counsel. What would he do if his daughter were the accuser — what then?

I am being facetious: our most senior political leader shouldn’t need the women in his life to help him understand the seriousness of this situation.

What’s tragic in my mind is that the woman making the allegations wrote that “If this story does become public knowledge, I hope that it will encourage other women to come forward”.

It breaks my heart, but this current situation means it’s unlikely this is the case.

Susie O’Brien is a Herald Sun columnist

@susieob