Senate shuts down proposed Christian Porter probe

Larissa Waters has been blocked from introducing a bill for an inquiry into whether Christian Porter is fit to remain in cabinet.

Olivia Caisley

less than 2 min read

10:20PMJune 16, 2021.

Updated 6:03AMJune 17, 2021

Industry Minister Christian Porter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Greens senator Larissa Waters has been blocked from introducing a bill for a parliamentary inquiry into whether Christian Porter is fit to remain in cabinet in a move she has described as being “virtually unprecedented”.

She was joined at Parliament House on Wednesday by Jo Dyer, a friend of a woman who accused the former attorney-general of raping her three decades ago, to lobby for support for a bill that would establish an independent inquiry into the allegations.

Mr Porter strongly denies the allegations and his accuser took her own life in June 2020.

The senator’s private bill was blocked from being introduced.

A division was called and the government won the vote 33 to 30 with help from the votes of One Nation and Jacqui Lambie. Labor and independent senator Rex Patrick voted with the Greens.

Jo Dyer. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

Senator Waters blasted the government for denying a first reading of the bill, saying they “should be utterly ashamed of themselves”.

She told the Senate she could think of only two instances in the past 10 years where a bill had been prevented from being introduced.

In 2018, former One Nation senator Fraser Anning’s immigration bill calling for a plebiscite on ending non-white immigration to Australia was blocked by the upper house as it was deemed too unacceptable to be considered.

“Govt is BLOCKING me introducing a bill for an Inquiry into whether Mr Porter is fit to remain in Cabinet given the unresolved rape allegations,” Senator Waters tweeted. “Blocking a bill is very rare. This is a protection racket for the boys club from a Govt allergic to transparency!”

She also tried to suspend standing orders but the government moved a closure motion.

Senator Waters called on Scott Morrison to implement his own ministerial standards..