‘Disgustingly drunk’: Senator accused of ‘slut-shaming’ Brittany Higgins
A Liberal senator has been accused of ‘slut-shaming’ Brittany Higgins, who was allegedly raped inside Parliament, saying she was ‘disgustingly drunk’.
Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz has been accused of “slut-shaming” former Coalition staffer Brittany Higgins, who was allegedly raped at Parliament House.
Sue Hickey, who was until recently a member of the Tasmanian Liberal Party, spoke on the floor of state parliament on Wednesday morning about a private conversation she said she had with Senator Abetz.
Mr Abetz categorically denies making the comments.
Ms Hickey, now an independent MP, said Mr Abetz made comments about Ms Higgins at a Hobart citizenship ceremony on March 1.
She said she asked Mr Abetz if the then-unnamed minister accused of rape was Attorney-General Christian Porter.
“The senator quickly responded that, ‘Yes, it was the first law officer of the nation, Christian Porter,” she said.
“But not to worry, the woman is dead and the law will protect him.
“He then said, ‘As for that Higgins girl, anybody so disgustingly drunk who would sleep with anybody could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of the nation at risk.’”
Ms Hickey said she “accepted” they were “deeply held views by the senator”.
“However they are not endorsed by our wider community, who view this judgment as slut-shaming,” she said.
“My immediate thoughts were — what if this girl’s drink had been spiked?
“And even if she was drunk, wouldn’t a caring man make sure she got home safely?
“No one, no matter how drunk or what they wear or where they walk at night, deserves to be sexually assaulted.
“I say to the senator on this matter, Ms Higgins did not choose to sleep with this man, she was raped.
“I asked Senator Abetz, why hadn’t the security guards stepped in, knowing how drunk she appeared to be?
“He responded very abruptly, that if any security member dared to question the validity of access to the parliament by anyone who held a security pass, they should be sacked.
“I felt sick, knowing that the last line of protection for this young woman, was not able to be provided due to the practices and protocols of parliament.
“I accept that these are deeply held views by the senator, however they are not endorsed by our wider community, who view this judgment as slut shaming.
“I know that there are many good men not only in our community, but also in our Liberal Party, who would also find these comments completely unacceptable and out of touch.
“Senate positions are highly coveted and the selection process is very carefully managed by a select group of Liberals.
“If we want the views of our parliament to reflect the views of our community, I respectfully suggest that these selectors have an obligation to not reward poor behaviour.”
Speaking in a Senate legislative committee on Wednesday, Senator Abetz said he had drafted a statement “categorically denying” he made the comments.
He said they were “mischievous assertions made under parliamentary privilege”.
“As somebody who helped set up a women’s shelter before I entered parliament — I was on the inaugural committee of it, I was its honorary legal adviser for 10 years, I saw all sorts of victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, etc — to suggest that I would make light of a rape allegation is horrendous, categorically denied by myself, and a full statement will be made,” Senator Abetz said.
He said Ms Hickey had been kicked out of the Liberal Party this week.
The controversial MP was a frequent headache for the Tasmanian Liberals, crossing the floor on issues including making gender optional on birth certificates.
She quit the party on Monday after the Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said she wouldn’t be endorsed at the next election.
“One can imagine what has occasioned these outbursts by her,” Mr Abetz said.
In a statement released after his comments in parliament, Mr Abetz added: “Ms Hickey’s defamatory allegations under Parliamentary privilege are categorically denied.”
“Allegations of rape are serious matters and have always been treated as such by me,” he said.
“Sexual assault is an issue on which I’ve been consistently outspoken including domestic violence.
“Ms Hickey’s suggestions otherwise is simply false. I reject outright her suggestions and gross mischaracterisation of our discussion.
“It’s noteworthy Ms Hickey has made her assertions some three weeks after she alleges they occurred.
“At no stage has Ms Hickey ever raised concerns with me about any of our conversations.
“Indeed, a fortnight later when we had a chance meeting in a coffee shop in Launceston Ms Hickey actually offered to buy me a cup of coffee which I politely declined because I was about to meet someone.
“What has changed? The Premier telling her on Sunday she was no longer wanted by the Liberal Party.
“On her way out the door she is trying to destroy the Party.”
Attorney-General Christian Porter has been accused of raping a woman in 1988 who has since committed suicide, when she was 16 and he was 17.
The accusations were first made against an unnamed “senior cabinet minister” before Mr Porter outed himself as the subject of the allegation. He has strongly denied the allegation.
Dutton to name and shame sex offenders
The Liberal leader outlined the plan on Thursday night as he discussed his work as an officer working on solving sex crimes, in the drug squad and in surveillance.
Read more
Fiery scenes as police chief quizzed on PM
Politicians have clashed while trying to ask the nation’s top cop why the Prime Minister was apparently kept in the dark about the alleged caravan terror plot.
Read more
Coles slammed over mass product cull
Nationals leader David Littleproud has hit out at Coles after the supermarket giant flagged a cull in its product range, claiming prices at the checkout would rise.
Read more