Labor sex assault claim sent to police

Opposition refers to AFP an anonymous historical sex assault alle­gation concerning senior Labor figure.

The opposition has referred to the Australian Federal Police an anonymous historical sexual assault allegation concerning a senior Labor figure.

The opposition has referred to the Australian Federal Police an anonymous historical sexual ­assault alle­gation concerning a senior Labor figure.

The fact Labor has been forced to refer the complaint, which it believes is not credible and is politically motivated, highlights how all manner of allegations against political figures can be weaponised in the current, febrile Canberra climate. It also shows how unsubstantiated claims are likely to receive greater political and police attention than previously.

Labor has pushed for an inquiry into claims levelled against Attorney-General Christian Porter after he was named in an anonymous complaint made by the friends of a deceased woman who had withdrawn a request for a police investigation.

The Australian understands the Labor figure at the centre of the allegation categorically dismisses the claim as false and ­vexatious. The allegation was made in writing over the past month in an anonymous letter purportedly by a person claiming to have been sexually assaulted three decades ago.

The Australian understands the Labor figure self-referred the unnamed letter to the AFP, following protocol, but views it as completely false, non-credible and politically motivated.

The AFP said it was not its jurisdiction to investigate such matters, and the police force from the state where the figure lives ­declined to comment when asked if it was investigating.

Any investigation would be difficult, given the letter is anonymous and does not include the name of the alleged victim.

It is understood the anonymous letter was sent to both Labor and Coalition MPs.

The Labor figure has not identified themself publicly and has not made a public statement that they are the subject of a historical allegation.

This is despite strong calls from Labor for Mr Porter to identify himself when it came to light, on February 26, that an anonymous allegation had been made against a Morrison government cabinet minister.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese told ABC’s Insiders two days later that there should be “transparency”, that the allegation was Scott Morrison’s responsibility and that there would now be “a dark cloud over the parliament and the cabinet”.

“The Prime Minister must confirm to himself that it remains the case that the minister, who is the subject of these allegations, that it’s appropriate for him to stay in his current position,” Mr Albanese said at the time.

“He is in charge of the cabinet. This is a moment whereby Australians will be looking for, after what has been a very difficult ­fortnight, common decency to shine through here, and for an appropriate response that isn’t about political management, that is about transparency, is about making sure processes are respected.”

After the ABC reported the existence of a historical rape allegation concerning a government minister, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young confirmed she had also received the anonymous claim and sent it to the AFP.

In the case concerning Mr Porter, the letter was anonymous but contained a dossier of mat­erial naming the alleged victim, with contact details of her friends.

She was deceased and had withdrawn co-operation from NSW police before she died.

Mr Albanese declined to comment on the new allegation.

The Labor figure who is the subject of the allegations is not former leader Bill Shorten.

Mr Shorten identified himself as the senior Labor figure who had been the subject of rape allegations in 2014 dating back to the 1980s after Victoria Police confirmed they would not be proceeding with criminal charges.