Family of woman who accused Christian Porter of rape support inquiry

The family of a woman who accused Attorney-General Christian Porter of raping her when she was a teenager want an independent inquiry held.

The family of the woman who accused Attorney-General Christian Porter of raping her are supportive of “any inquiry” that will shed light on her death.

In a statement to news.com.au, lawyers acting for the woman’s family said they are open to either a coronial inquiry or an independent investigation into her rape claims, to be established by Parliament.

“The family of the deceased continue to experience considerable grief arising from their loss,’’ the statement said.

“They are supportive of any inquiry which could potentially shed light on the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s passing.

“They ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”

The new statement confirms the woman’s mother, father and sister are supportive of an inquiry into their much-loved daughter’s death.

RELATED: What Christian Porter remembers from night of alleged rape, which he denies

Christian Porter leaves a press conference yesterday after denying the claims. Picture: AFP

Mr Porter has vehemently denied all of the allegations. Prime Minister Scott Morrison today reiterated his support for the Attorney-General.

The woman told police she did not want to proceed with the complaint just days before taking her own life.

NSW Police have released a statement on the historical rape allegation levelled at the Attorney-General, which he vigorously denies, confirming they were in contact with the woman on at least five occasions before she died.

The statement said the woman emailed NSW Police on June 23, 2020, “indicating she no longer felt able to proceed with reporting the matter, citing medical and personal reasons”.

RELATED: Attorney-General Christian Porter revealed as Liberal Party Cabinet Minister at centre of unproven rape allegations

“The woman very clearly articulated in that email that she did not want to proceed with the complaint,” it said.

“She also thanked investigators in this email. She was very grateful for the time and support the investigators provided to her.”

After seven days of headlines over the shocking claims, Mr Porter on Wednesday chose to relinquish his anonymity and categorically deny the allegations.

Mr Porter has never been charged and police have confirmed that the matter is “closed”.

An emotional Mr Porter told reporters that he felt for the parents of the Adelaide woman and the reporting about the allegations.

“The things that are being said happened did not happen,’’ he said. “It’s the truth. Nothing that is in the allegations that have been printed ever happened.”

Scott Morrison is standing by Attorney-General Christian Porter. Picture: AFP

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the family’s statement was a critical turning point.

“(The family) issued a statement and they say they would be supportive of any inquiry that should shed light on the circumstances of the loss of their loved one,” Mr Albanese said.

“The hope of the Prime Minister that this could be just unseen or unheard, these allegations, and go away without a full and proper, and transparent inquiry is just not realistic, it defies commonsense. It simply doesn’t work like that.

“The problem is that unless the Prime Minister shows leadership and there is some inquiry, then we will continue to have press conferences like that that was held by Christian Porter yesterday and that will be examination, but it will be examined by the media rather than through appropriate processes that should take place here.

“Now that the police have said that a criminal investigation cannot proceed, the issue does sit squarely with the Prime Minister.”

More to come …