Peter Dutton dragged into Brittany Higgins scandal

Anthony Albanese has accused Peter Dutton of telling the Prime Minister’s office of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation “days before” it became public.

Anthony Albanese has accused Peter Dutton of telling the Prime Minister’s office of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation “days before” it became public.

The Prime Minister turned the tables on the Opposition leader in parliament after he asked Mr Albanese when the Prime Minister’s office became aware.

Mr Albanese – who was the opposition leader at the time the story first broke – used the question to turn the attack back on the Liberals.

“My question is to the Prime Minister. When did the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister’s office become aware of allegations concerning sexual assault as broadcast by the Project in 2021?’’ Mr Dutton had asked.

Mr Albanese said it was a strange question to ask, given that it was in fact Mr Dutton’s office who tipped off Mr Morrison’s office about an AFP briefing before the story broke.

“The Leader of the Opposition asked this question, but I’m surprised because he knows that he informed the Prime Minister’s office days before there was any public announcement,’’ Mr Albanese said.

The Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton has been accused of telling Scott Morrison about the rape allegation days before the news broke. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

News.com.au has previously reported that on February 24, 2021, Mr Dutton told parliament he was aware of the claims before the story broke on February 15, 2021.

He was informed by the AFP that Ms Higgins had re-engaged with police on February 5, 2021 before the story broke.

The AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw informed him under sensitive investigation protocols on February 11, 2021.

At first, Mr Dutton kept this information confidential.

However, after Network Ten and news.com.au lodged questions on February 12, 2021, Mr Dutton asked his chief of staff to engage with the Prime Minister’s office about what he knew.

He has declined to detail exactly what he told the Prime Minister’s office with his spokeswoman offering a “no comment” on the question on Monday.

“I was asked what the Prime Minister knew. And that goes to the heart of what this issue is. The heart of what this issue is. The heart of what this issue is,’’ Mr Albanese said.

“Because the heart of this issue goes to an alleged sexual assault by a Liberal staffer about – against another Liberal staff member – in a Liberal minister’s office in 2019. Metres away from the then Liberal Prime Minister’s office.

Mr Dutton on February 24, 2021, told parliament he was aware of the claims before the story broke on February 15. Picture: 7 News Spotlight

“When these allegations became public, two years after the Morrison government became aware of the security breach, the truth is that it sent shockwaves not just through the parliament but through the nation. As it was the first step in exposing a problematic culture in what should be Australia’s safest building, the one right here.

“Scott Morrison had an inquiry by Phil Gaetjens, his former chief of staff, who was then head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, about who knew what in his office. That report has never been released.

“What we — what we do know is that the Leader of the Opposition informed the Prime Minister’s office, prior to that information becoming public, prior to that.

“But he didn’t reveal that until 10 days after news.com.au published this information at 8.00am on 15 February, and the Project interviewed or aired an interview with Ms Brittany Higgins on the Project that evening.

“For 10 days the Leader of the Opposition said nothing about what he knew and about the fact that he informed the Prime Minister’s office on that day.”

Earlier, Mr Albanese slammed claims Senator Katy Gallagher misled parliament over what she knew about Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation as a “bizarre conspiracy.”

As the Coalition prepares to target the Finance Minister and Labor during question time, Mr Albanese is backing her to the hilt.

“This is absurd,” he said.

“It’s a bizarre conspiracy theory – this concocted issue by what is a desperate Liberal opposition looking for any issue.

“Katy Gallagher has been transparent.”

Mr Albanese slammed claims Senator Katy Gallagher misled parliament over what she knew about Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The furore that has erupted follows the leaking of a six-hour audiotape revealing Ms Higgins partner David Sharaz bragging to The Project that he has a connection with Senator Gallagher and she would drive the story forward in Senate estimates.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has denied misleading parliament in a statement where she warned the message to complainants after the leaking of Brittany Higgins’ private text messages was “watch out.”

After days of controversy, Senator Gallagher rose shortly after noon to make a statement as the former Prime Minister Scott Morrison was also addressing the House of Representatives.

“When it comes to responding to the serious allegations of rape that occurred in a minister’s office in this building, I have at all times been guided by the bravery and courage of a young woman who chose to speak up and about an alleged incident in her workplace,’’ she said.

“I have always acted ethically and with basic human decency on all matters related to Miss Higgins, and I will continue to do so.”

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmannn was charged in relation to the matter but was never convicted. The trial was aborted due to juror misconduct and the charge then dropped following concerns of Ms Higgins mental health.