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Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is taking leave for health reasons
Under-fire Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has been admitted to hospital and will take medical leave, after a week of pressure over her handling of an alleged rape in her office.
“This follows advice from her cardiologist relating to a pre-existing medical condition,” said a statement issued on Wednesday morning.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds during question time last week.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
The statement said the minister would take a period of medical leave.
Senator Reynolds has been under pressure after former staffer Brittany Higgins went public last week with allegations she was raped by a colleague in the minister’s office in March 2019. The minister has faced repeated questions from political opponents and journalists over what she knew about the incident and when.
On Tuesday, Senator Reynolds gave conflicting accounts to Parliament about meetings with police over Ms Higgins’ allegations, and last week she broke down in tears during question time.
The minister was due to speak at the National Press Club on Wednesday. Cabinet colleague Greg Hunt told reporters she was “desperate to appear”.
“It was only on the strongest medical advice that she took the reluctant decision not to do it,” he said on Wednesday.
“I would very gently counsel anybody who might reflect other than on somebody’s medical condition.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison this morning called Senator Reynolds to express his concern and sympathy, and to wish her a quick recovery.
Ms Higgins wished Senator Reynolds “all the best with her recovery” via Twitter, saying she genuinely hoped the minister was OK.
“Let’s just hope that from this whole horrible situation there will actually be some fundamental reform to the MOP(S) Act for vulnerable staff and improvements to the workplace culture in Parliament House,” Ms Higgins said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne will be acting Defence Minister until Senator Reynolds returns from leave.
Senator Reynolds’ speech to the National Press Club had been cleared by the Defence Department and sent to journalists.
She has apologised to Ms Higgins for her handling of the rape complaint, which has led to a number of reviews of the culture and processes of Federal Parliament.