An emotional and shaken Christian Porter will defy his trial-by-media and, having denied the rape accusation against him, will stand his ground with the support of Scott Morrison.
The rape accusation is now politically weaponised. This is not just about Porter — it is about justice and lawful process in this country. Porter said he would not stand down as Attorney-General over an incident that “did not happen” because in Australia “no one is beyond an allegation”.
Porter stood on a principle. He said if he submits it means any person in Australia “can lose their career, their job, their life’s work” based on an accusation.
Morrison is supporting Porter, as a minister and on principle. He will be returned to his ministry after a short period of leave.
ALP leader Anthony Albanese has signalled Labor’s support for more action — and flagged an independent inquiry to judge Porter. That is a dangerous and unprecedented move.
The Prime Minister will not authorise any such inquiry, but told colleagues that if he did Porter would not be the only figure included, an obvious reference to previous allegations against Bill Shorten.
The rape accusation against Porter will now escalate into a vicious political and media contest. At stake are core principles, the female vote, competing versions of justice, Morrison’s standing and Porter’s future.
Wednesday was a shameful day in our politics, without parallel for decades, if ever. The most revealing contrast is the completely different media treatments of the Porter allegations as opposed to the Shorten allegations from 2014.
Porter said while he had stayed silent during police investigations “I have been subject to the most wild, intense and unrestrained series of accusations that I can remember in modern Australian politics”. Yet this occurred without anyone “putting to me the details of what appears is now being alleged against me”.
While Porter was emotional, his core argument was founded in reason and principle. He projected a determination to remain in office and defy the campaign against him. This is a threshold moment for our politics, law and justice — if Porter is forced out that sets a new test for our public life with alarming and damaging consequences.
Morrison is adamant on the principles at stake. But the PM, ultimately, must respond to the public sentiment.
This may be far more equivocal than much of the media believes. Australians want justice for women who are raped, but they don’t want public figures destroyed on a foundation of unfairness — allegations that cannot be substantiated.
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