Labor lashes PM, calls for an inquiry into Christian Porter rape allegations

Anthony Albanese has escalated the political row over the Morrison government’s handling of the alleged rape.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer

Anthony Albanese has suggested there should be an independent inquiry into a rape allegation made against Attorney-General Christian Porter, as he also escalated the political row over the Morrison government’s handling of the issue.

Speaking before Mr Porter revealed himself as the minister accused of historical sexual assault, the Opposition Leader said Scott Morrison would need a more stringent investigation than “just a discussion with the minister”.

Mr Albanese suggested there were a number of options for an ­independent inquiry, including through a “proper coronial inquiry in South Australia that examines all circumstances of this woman’s death”.

He also identified an “independent investigation at arm’s length, such as what occurred in the High Court over allegations against (former judge) Dyson Heydon.”

“The presumption of innocence is a critical part of our legal system. But now that the existing legal processes have been unable to proceed, certainly in terms of NSW Police, I think people will be looking for further responses.”

Mr Albanese said he was “very disappointed” the Prime Minister had not read the contents of the anonymous letter he received last week. The letter, which was forwarded to the Australian Federal Police, detailed allegations of ­sexual assault from Mr Porter in 1988 towards a woman who is now deceased.

Before Mr Porter was identified as the target of the complaint, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Steve Murphy declared a cabinet minister “got away with rape”.

“She was 16 and would have been in year 9 at high school. He got away with rape,” Mr Murphy tweeted. “Her life was destroyed, while he is now a senior cabinet minister. He still gets away with it. The whole damn system needs burning down to the ground.”

Mr Porter categorically denies there is any substance to the rape allegations.

Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman slammed Labor MPs for “double standards”, given their backing of Bill Shorten remaining opposition leader when he was investigated by police for historical sexual assault allegations.

 

Mr Shorten made a public statement in August 2014 after Victoria Police closed an investigation into historical rape allegations. “Tanya Plibersek at the time went so far as to say the person in question did not even have to disclose their identity in those circumstances, when the shoe was on the other foot,” Mr Zimmerman told Sky News

“In our system of justice we have a police force that is capable of investigating these matters.”

Mr Zimmerman said the High Court was able to conduct an investigation into Mr Heydon because the alleged harassment happened in the workplace.

“These are matters that are of a very historical nature and are matters that don’t fall, for example, in a current workplace,” he said.

Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said Mr Morrison still had questions to answer regarding the allegations, despite police closing the investigation.

“The NSW Police have made a determination they cannot gather enough admissible evidence to take a case to trial,” Senator Keneally told Sky News.

“But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a case here to be answered in terms of whether or not the Prime Minister … has done enough to satisfy himself, his cabinet and the Australian community that he has confidence in this ministry.”