Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton defends ‘she said, he said’ remarks

The Home Affairs Minister was criticised for his comments this week, but Mr Dutton says he was merely trying to make an important point.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has doubled down on remarks that Brittany Higgins rape allegations were a “she said, he said”.

Mr Dutton on Thursday revealed that he was not provided “with the ‘she said, he said’ details of the allegation” when he was briefed on the incident by the Australian Federal Police earlier this month.

The nature of the comments was criticised, but Mr Dutton told Today that he was trying to make the point that the rule of law had to apply.

“The point I was making was in relation to these cases, the police will hear different accounts,” he said.

“They will hear evidence from different people, they will distil all of that and they will decide whether or not a prosecution needs to take place.

“That is not to detract from a victim, not to detract from the seriousness of this matter.”

Mr Dutton said the sexual assault of women and sexual harassment in the workplace were “abhorrent acts” .

“I don’t see any more important task (than) to protect women and children, and I do it every day,” Mr Dutton said.

Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins has made shocking claims that she was raped by a colleague in a ministerial office at Parliament House, Canberra in March 2019.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles said the claims made in the past fortnight about the culture at Parliament House were “an indictment on all of us”.

“The privilege that goes with working in Parliament House is not a licence to bad behaviour but is in fact the opposite,” Mr Marles said.

“It is a call to parliament being what should be the model workplace in the country, and that’s what we’ve got to strive towards.”

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday warning MPs of the risks of failing to report crimes.

“I cannot state strongly enough the importance of timely referrals of allegations of criminal conduct,” he wrote.

“Failure to report alleged criminal behaviour in this manner, or choosing to communicate or disseminate allegations via other means, such as through the media or third parties, risks prejudicing and subsequent police investigation.”

Mr Marles said the commissioner feeling the need to write the letter was “pretty extraordinary”.

He said although reporting the crime was a critically important first step, people needed to be supported through the process.

“That’s what Brittany Higgins is saying, that she felt she didn’t have in relation to her circumstances,” Mr Marles said.

Federal Labor’s national executive is expected to sign off on a refreshed draft code of conduct for politicians, staff, members and volunteers on Friday.

The move – which predates Ms Higgins publicly airing the allegations – aims to improve the process to ensure people who work with Labor are able to raise issues, including bullying or sexual harassment.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual abuse contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.