Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein urges Scott Morrison to act on slur claim

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has urged Scott Morrison to consider allegations federal Liberal senator Eric Abetz ‘slut-shamed’ an alleged rape victim.

Senator Eric Abetz. Picture: Luke Bowden

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has urged Scott Morrison to consider allegations federal Liberal senator Eric Abetz “slut-shamed” an alleged rape victim, despite the veteran senator categorically denying the claim.

Mr Gutwein made the extraordinary move on Wednesday night after Tasmanian Speaker Sue Hickey, under parliamentary privilege, claimed Senator Abetz had slurred former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins and questioned how drunk she was on the night of the alleged rape.

Mr Gutwein faces questions about his own conduct in the matter, after conceding he knew of the allegation against Senator Abetz weeks ago but failed to act.

Sue Hickey. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“A few weeks ago, Ms Hickey raised this matter with me, but not to the level of detail that was in her statements today and did not make a formal complaint to me or request that I take any ­action,” the Premier said in ­response to questions put to him by The Australian.

“As Ms Hickey has outlined her allegations in more detail in the parliament, this afternoon I have written to the Prime Minister and requested that he consider the matters raised.”

While noting that Senator Abetz “categorically denied the allegations”, Mr Gutwein did not suggest the matter should rest, instead seeking to involve the Prime Minister.

Ms Hickey, who on Monday declared she would quit the Liberals and sit as an independent after being jilted by preselectors, told state parliament that senior parliamentary and organisational Liberals had known about her allegations against Senator Abetz for weeks.

She told state parliament that Senator Abetz had told her at a March 1 function that Ms Higgins, who alleges she was raped in Parliament House, had been drunk at the time.

Brittany Higgins speaks at the Canberra Womens March 4 Justice.

“He then said: ‘As for that Higgins girl, anybody so disgustingly drunk who would have slept with anybody could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of the nation at risk’,” Ms Hickey, speaking in state parliament, quoted Senator Abetz as having told her.

Senator Abetz “categorically denied” Ms Hickey’s claims, ­accusing her of “trying to destroy the party … on her way out the door”.

“Allegations of rape are serious matters and have always been treated as such by me,” ­Senator Abetz said. “Ms Hickey’s suggestion otherwise is simply false. As someone who was on the inaugural committee of a women’s shelter and its honorary legal adviser for a decade prior to entering parliament, I ­reject outright her suggestions and gross mischaracterisation of our discussion.”

Mr Morrison has defended the former Liberal Senate leader and said he would keep his parliamentary posts.

“Senator Abetz has been a ­significant contributor to … the Senate over a long period of time, Mr Speaker. He has served his state and he has served his nation,” Mr Morrison told parliament.