Scott Morrison to act ‘quickly’ over alleged rapist’s Canberra access

Parliament to probe if the man alleged to have raped Brittany Higgins has had access to the building since he was sacked.

Former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins.

Federal parliament’s presiding ­officers are investigating whether the former staffer alleged to have raped Brittany Higgins in the ministerial wing in 2019 has had access to the building or held meetings with ministers and their staff since he was sacked over the incident.

The alleged rape has engulfed the government for a week, with three other women also coming forward to allege sexual assault or harassment by Ms Higgins’ ­accused perpetrator.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would confirm “as quickly as possible” whether the man had held a lobbyist pass for Parliament House, which would allow him to enter the building unescorted, or had met with ministers, their staff or departmental officials at any time since the alleged rape ­occurred.

Speaker of the House Tony Smith and Senate president Scott Ryan are looking into the matter.

Ms Higgins alleges she was raped in then defence industry minister Linda Reynolds’ office on March 23, 2019, by a colleague after a night out drinking. She also claims she did not pursue a formal police complaint because she feared she would lose her job.

Ms Higgins is due to reactivate an investigation on Wednesday when she gives a statement to the Australian Federal Police at 2pm.

The alleged perpetrator moved between Coalition offices over several years, working for former Nationals senator Barry O’Sullivan, former attorney-general ­George Brandis, Nationals MPs David Gillespie and Bridget McKenzie and Senator Reynolds.

It is understood there was ­already a strike against his name when he lost his job with Senator Reynolds following what was ­initially believed to be a security breach for being in her office with Ms Higgins after hours. Ms Higgins later alleged that was the night of the rape.

Government sources said the man moved to Senator Reynolds’ office after failing to get promoted by Senator McKenzie, who was then rural health, sport and regional communications minister.

Attempting to assure staff they would be supported, Mr ­Morrison’s chief of staff John Kunkel wrote to Coalition MPs and their staff on Friday saying: “No member of staff should feel that their employment would be threatened by reporting a serious incident to police, or by raising any workplace concern through formal channels … there is no excuse for bad behaviour.

“It’s vital that each and every staff member feels safe in their workplace, and feels proud of their workplace.”

Senator Reynolds, who is now Defence Minister, said she never notified the Prime Minister’s office about the alleged rape because it was “not her story to tell”.

“The advice is always — from 1800 RESPECT and others — you always take the lead of the individual and that’s what I did,” she said.

Her comments triggered a furious rebuke from Ms Higgins, who said her privacy had been breached “at every turn in this process”.

Labor ratcheted up its attack against Mr Morrison and his government on Monday.

“We know that, at best, Mr Morrison runs a government where the culture is ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ when it comes to serious criminal allegations,” Labor Senate leader Penny Wong said.

“And at worst, Mr Morrison himself is part of the cover-up.”