Katy Gallagher hits back over rape claim entanglement
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has sensationally declared she believes Brittany Higgins’ allegations of rape, sparking Coalition accusations she displayed ‘contempt’ for the justice system.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says she believes Brittany Higgins’ allegations of rape, sparking accusations from Coalition MPs that she displayed “contempt” for the justice system.
The Finance Minister continued to rebuff questions during a fourth day of parliamentary grilling by the Coalition, claiming she had been accountable to the Senate by fronting up to questions “every day”.
Her comments come after Senator Gallagher tearfully apologised to Liberal senator Linda Reynolds on Thursday for the first time, saying “sorry” over any hurt caused when Labor was pursuing the issue two years ago.
The Australian this week revealed fresh details of a multimillion dollar compensation settlement to Ms Higgins, prompting a fresh line of inquiry from the Coalition about why the federal government did not seek evidence from Senator Reynolds or Liberal senator Michaelia Cash during the claim’s mediation.
In the upper house on Friday, Senator Gallagher was grilled by Liberal senator Marise Payne over whether she was “hiding behind the excuse of confidentiality” in refusing to give the full details on what she was told by Ms Higgins and her boyfriend David Sharaz before the alleged incident was made public and if she provided advice to them.
“The answer to that is no. And I have been accountable to the Senate,” Senator Gallagher said in response.
“I have stood here every day answering questions that related to something that happened in the previous parliament, a very distressing situation for everyone as we all know.”
Liberal senator Sarah Henderson yelled out that the incident was an “alleged” incident.
Senator Gallagher then said: “Well, Senator Henderson, I believe Ms Higgins”.
The interaction prompted fury from the Coalition, with opposition MPs telling The Australian that Senator Gallagher had further jeopardised a “just outcome” and effectively claimed Ms Higgins’ alleged rapist, Bruce Lehrmann, was guilty.
“There is a reason why journalists are required to always use the word ‘allegation’ before a claim has been proven in court and I think elected representatives should be very careful to not prejudice a case or any of those involved,” Nationals deputy leader Perin Davey said.
NSW senator Hollie Hughes said the incident showed Labor had “absolutely no respect for the justice system, especially the presumption of innocence”.
“To see comments in the chamber this week not only continues to display the contempt Senator Gallagher has for the justice system but also all Australian people,” she said.
Senator Gallagher continued to keep confidential the full details of her conversation with Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz before the allegations of rape went to air on television.
Peter Dutton on Friday said Anthony Albanese had shown “arrogance and hubris” in refusing to answer questions in parliament this week, and argued Senator Gallagher should face sanctions.
Manager of opposition business Paul Fletcher told The Australian that Labor had broken its promise on parliamentary transparency and accountability, shutting down debate in both chambers this week.
“Mr Albanese shut down question time early every day this week, taking only 18 questions from the opposition across the three sitting days,” Mr Fletcher said.
“By contrast in the last sitting week of the Morrison government in 2022, then prime minister Morrison took 25 questions from the opposition over three days.”
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