Christian Porter and Linda Reynolds both extend their sick leave after alleged rape scandals

Christian Porter and Linda Reynolds have both extended their sick leave as the political fallout from two alleged rape claims continues.

Attorney-General Christian Porter and the Defence Minister Linda Reynolds will both skip Parliament this month as controversy rages over rape allegations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Tuesday that he did not expect Mr Porter to return to work to face Parliament next week and that he will remain on mental health leave.

“I don’t anticipate him to be back in Parliament next week. But he will give me further updates,’’ the Prime Minister said.

The Attorney-General went on mental health leave last week after strenuously denying he ever raped a 16-year-old in 1988 when he was teenager.

Attorney-General Christian Porter speaks during a press conference in Perth on March 3 where he denied raping a 16-year-old girl in 1988. Picture Stefan Gosatti/AFP

He is not under any police investigation and has not been charged with a crime. But he said when asked by friends and family “are you OK?” that he had to be honest and say he wasn’t sure during an emotional, tearful press conference. He is seeking psychological counselling.

At the time, Mr Porter did not suggest that he remain on sick leave when parliament resumes on Monday, March 15 as the Prime Minister confirmed today.

Asked if he planned to discuss the allegations and calls for an independent inquiry with the Solicitor-General, the Prime Minister said he did not plan to do so.

“Because there is not a separate legal process that applies to the Attorney-General or anyone else,’’ he said.

“There’s only one rule of law here. And I’m standing firm on that principle of the rule of law. I’m not going to indulge in other extrajudicial processes that suggest that one Australian is subject to a different legal process to any other Australian.

Christian Porter, in his younger days, has strongly denied the allegations. Picture: Four Corners/ABC

The now deceased woman pictured on the night of the incident in 1988. Picture: Four Corners/ABC

“If we do that, we are eroding the very principles of the rule of law in this country. So, there are not two laws in this country and I won’t allow that to be eroded. Thanks very much.”

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has already announced she is extending her sick leave “on the advice of her cardiologist” until the day after April Fools’ Day, April 2.

Reynolds has been plagued by scandal in recent weeks, after former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped in the Minister’s office in 2019.

The Minister took sick leave for a pre-existing cardiac issue shortly after, on February 24, as pressure mounted over the way Ms Reynolds and other senior ministers had handled the issue, and questions arose as to who knew what, and when.

Senator Linda Reynolds has also extended her sick leave. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Brittany Higgins claims she was sexually assaulted in Linda Reynolds’ office in 2019.

It has also been revealed Senator Reynolds called the victim a “lying cow” in front of another staffer when media reports began to surface about the alleged assault.

Labor Senator Kristina Keneally said that she hopes Ms Reynolds is making a full recovery, but criticised the Morrison government over two senior cabinet ministers being absent.

“Her position is untenable,” Ms Keneally said on Sunday in regards to the Defence Minister.

“You cannot call the alleged victim of a rape in your own office a lying cow and think that has no consequences.”

Ms Reynolds said in a statement issued on Sunday that she would not be returning to her office on Monday, as originally planned, and had been advised by her cardiologist to extend her leave until April 2.

Brittany Higgins with her partner, former press gallery journalist David Sharaz.