Scott Morrison told of historic sex assault claims against minister

An anonymous letter sent to Scott Morrison has detailed historic sexual assault allegations against a minister in his government, police have heard.

Police have been told of an anonymous letter sent to Scott Morrison detailing historic sexual assault allegations against a minister in his government.

The letter was also sent to Labor senator Penny Wong and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young this week.

On Friday night, Senator Wong said it included an attachment which “appears to be a statement prepared by the complainant” about an “allegation of rape”.

She said: “It is my hope that appropriate action is taken to examine the allegation.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the letter contained “a disturbing and a very serious allegation of a criminal nature against a senior member of the government”.

In a statement, Senator Wong said she believed the complainant — who died in South Australia last year — had reported the allegation to police in New South Wales and South Australia.

The Herald Sun understands Senator Wong first became aware of the allegation when she ran into the complainant in November 2019.

She faciliated the complainant’s referral to rape support services and confirmed she was being supported to report the matter to NSW Police.

Senator Penny Wong contacted South Australian police to offer her assistance in the coronial investigation. Picture: Gary Ramage

After the complainant’s death, Senator Wong contacted South Australian police to offer her assistance in the coronial investigation.

She said she had “forwarded the letter to the NSW Police Force, South Australia Police and the Australian Federal Police to assist in any investigations which may be under way”.

“I have also written to the Prime Minister and Senator Hanson-Young to outline the steps I have taken following receipt of this anonymous letter,” Senator Wong said.

Earlier this week, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw wrote to Mr Morrison, warning that allegations of criminal conduct should be reported without delay.

Senator Hanson-Young said that “following the advice” given to the Prime Minister, which he shared with all parliamentarians, she had spoken to Mr Kershaw on Friday who was “now taking steps in relation to this information”.

The Herald Sun understands investigators had met with the woman in New South Wales, where the incident allegedly occurred, but she did not provide a statement to them before her death.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said the sex crimes squad received a report about “alleged historic sexual abuse” in February last year.

“At that time, detectives commenced an investigation under Strike Force Wyndarra,” the spokeswoman said.

“After strike force investigators were advised that the body of a 49-year-old woman was located at a home at Adelaide by South Australia Police (SAPOL) on Wednesday 24 June 2020, the investigation was suspended.”

“NSW Police understand that reporting sexual assault can be distressing and traumatic for victims – and it is always the choice of an individual whether to proceed with an investigation or not.”

The AFP said it would not comment.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has received a letter detailing historic sexual assault allegations against a minister in his government.. Picture: Gary Ramage

A spokesman for Mr Morrison said: “As per the AFP Commissioner’s instruction, any complaints or allegations of this nature made to anybody — whether they’re parliamentarians or journalists — should be referred to the AFP.”

“As the Australian Federal Police Commissioner outlined in advice to all parliamentarians on 25 February 2021, reporting to the police is the way to ensure any alleged crimes are properly investigated,” the spokesman said.

Mr Kershaw’s letter had also pointed out that communicating allegations “via other means, such as through the media or third parties, risks prejudicing any subsequent police investigation”.

SA Police said: “It is a matter for the Coroner and SA Police will not be making any further comment at this time.”

Dhanya Mani, a former Liberal staffer who had previously alleged she was sexually assaulted by a colleague, tweeted that the complainant was “one of my most loved friends.”

“PLEASE don’t politicise her trauma. She would not want that. PLEASE consult w/ loved ones about decisions. We are still mourning. This is beyond distressing,” she said.

She said the woman’s family had previously specifically “objected” to the ABC “telling her story”.

Independent South Australian senator Rex Patrick called on Mr Morrison to require the minister in question to stand down, pending the outcome

of a police investigation, because of “the very serious nature of these allegations”.

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