PoliticsNow: Complainant’s parents want inquiry into her death
The family of the woman who alleged she was raped by Attorney-General Christian Porter support an inquiry into circumstances that led to her death.
- Complainant’s parents want death probe
- Complainant ‘wanted Porter probe dropped’
- PM: Rule of law, not mob on Porter
- Frydenberg rejects Porter inquiry
- ‘Only the tip of the iceberg’ for Porter
- Reynolds called Higgins a ‘lying cow’
- ‘I was not blaming victims’: ADF chief
Welcome to PoliticsNow, our live coverage of the latest political headlines from Canberra.
The family of the woman who alleged she was raped by Attorney-General Christian Porter support an inquiry into the circumstances that led to her death.
NSW Police say Christian Porter’s accuser emailed detectives last June saying she didn’t feel able to proceed with the matter. Scott Morrison calls for rule over law over Christian Porter allegations. Josh Frydenberg stands by Christian Porter, rejects Labor, Greens call for inquiry. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has been plunged into more controversy after revelations she referred to Brittany Higgins as a “lying cow” in front of staff.
Charlie Peel 9.40pm:Qld Labor takes a big step to the left
Queensland Labor’s Policy Co-ordination Council is expected to become more progressive, with the dominant Left faction winning almost half of the vote in a ballot for positions.
The strengthening of the Left and deterioration of the once-powerful Right faction comes amid internal division within the party and from unions that Labor has forgotten its working-class roots.
The Right won just a quarter of votes in the online ballot (917), finishing with fewer votes than the Old Guard faction (922).
The Left won 1548, while 195 votes went to independent candidates.
Four of the positions on the PCC went to the Left, three to the Right, two to the Old Guard and one to an independent.
The Left was preferenced on how-to-vote cards by the Old Guard and is likely to benefit from supply during crucial votes on policy.
Labor sources said the result meant the Left would become even stronger and more influential in the development of party policies.
Of the 18 candidates competing for the 10 positions on the PCC, seven were from the Left, five from the Right and three from the Old Guard, also known as Labor Unity.
Geoff Chambers9pm:China row opens doors for India
India is moving to fill the Chinese vacuum for Australian resources and wine, as a free-trade agreement between Canberra and New Delhi gains momentum under a Morrison government push to unlock new markets.
The Australian understands Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is eyeing off greater access to Australian resources, including coal and rare earths, ahead of Adani’s Carmichael mine in Queensland producing its first coal load this year.
As part of India’s COVID-19 economic response, the Modi government has eased mining regulations to attract foreign investment in India and permitted the commercial mining of coal. There is also a push to access Australian coal, iron ore, copper, steel aluminium, cobalt, rare earths and nickel.
Charlie Peel 8.15pm:LNP set to oust Palmer Cronies
Powerbrokers linked to businessman Clive Palmer are facing a backlash from grassroots members of the Liberal National Party, with local branches backing a campaign to limit the influence of associates of the rival political leader on the party.
A motion was passed last month at an LNP branch meeting within the Brisbane Metro South region calling for the party to create a set of guidelines around conflicts of interest for members of the party executive.
The motion was raised in a bid to prevent a repeat of issues that plagued the LNP ahead of the October 31 state election, in which the business ties between headquarters and Mr Palmer derailed the party’s campaign.
Similar motions calling for the party to better deal with conflicts of interest in business and politics have been passed at other branches throughout the state, along with no-confidence votes in some senior party officials.
An earlier proposed motion, which was not put to voters at a regional meeting of the Metro South branches because of a technicality, called for the two-year suspension of several party powerbrokers, including three former presidents, over their ties to Mr Palmer, who leads the rival United Australia Party.
Agencies7.25pm:QAnon ‘plotting’ second raid on US Capitol
Washington’s security posture has been bolstered after threats of a possible breach of the US Capitol, with the House of Representatives changing its voting plans to avoid gathering members on a day of potential unrest.
The warning was relayed on Thursday (AEDT) by US Capitol Police, who said it was prompted by intelligence about an unnamed militia group.
It follows online chatter from conspiracy-embracing extremists who believe March 4 is the day former president Donald Trump will return to Washington to be inaugurated for a second term.
The threat comes nearly two months after Trump supporters, including QAnon followers, stormed the Capitol building and laid siege to congress in an attack that left five people dead and shook the citadel of American democracy.
Some followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe Mr Trump was cheated out of a second term and that Friday (AEDT) will mark his victorious return to power to confront a secret global cabal of Satanist liberals.
Agencies 6.45pm:NZ arrests two over mosque attacks anniversary threat
New Zealand police have arrested two people over online threats against two Christchurch mosques targeted in a white supremacist attack two years ago that claimed the lives of 51 Muslims.
Police in the South Island city announced the pair’s arrest on Thursday as Christchurch prepares for the second anniversary of the horrific attack on March 15, 2019.
They said no charges had yet been laid and did not provide further details. “We take all threats of this nature seriously and we are working closely with our Muslim community,” police said.
“Any messages of hate or people wanting to cause harm in our community will not be tolerated — it’s not the Kiwi way.”
In March 2019, Australian national Brenton Tarrant targeted men, women and children who had gathered for Friday prayers in Christchurch, killing 51 and injuring dozens more.
The self-proclaimed white supremacist was jailed for life last year without the possibility of parole.
READ MORE:Backflip of power-grabbing premier
Patrick Commins6pm:The cost of Covid: $327bn over five years
Australian federal, state and local governments are expected to spend $327bn over the five years to 2024 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, paid for by a tripling in the combined net debt burden to nearly $1.3 trillion.
The extraordinary anticipated level of spending is equivalent to half of the combined revenue of the three levels of government in the 2019-20 financial year, or 17 per cent of GDP, the independent Parliamentary Budget Office said in its latest annual national fiscal outlook.
The PBO said that since the start of the pandemic, the combined bottom line of governments “has significantly worsened”.
Sharri Markson 4.45pm:Reynolds faces lawsuit for ‘lying cow’ comment
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds faces defamation action for “belittling” and “demeaning” Brittany Higgins by calling her a “lying cow” in her office, unless she publicly apologises to her former staff member.
The Australian can reveal Higgins’ lawyers have today issued a legal demand to Senator Reynolds, calling on her to publicly withdraw the comments and apologise for the “hurt and distress caused” by her “malicious” remarks.
The legal action comes after revelations in The Australian that the Defence Minister, who is on medical leave, made the comments in an open-plan area of her parliamentary office in the wake of Higgins’ revelations she was sexually assaulted in Parliament House.
In the letter, sent to Senator Reynolds today, Higgins’ lawyer, Rebekah Giles of reputational risk firm, Company Giles, described the remark as a “distasteful character assassination.”
The legal letter states that Ms Higgins reserves her rights to commence legal action and states that the letter constitutes a Concerns Notice under Australian defamation legislation.
“The Prime Minister today confirmed that you have apologised to your staff members to whom the words were spoken to and acknowledged your disgraceful comments as “inappropriate and wrong”,” Ms Giles wrote.
“Our client is appalled that an apology has not been extended to her.
READ the full story here.
Adeshola Ore 3.30pm:Labor renews push for Porter probe
Anthony Albanese says Scott Morrison must assure Australians that Attorney-General Christian Porter is fit to hold the nation’s top law officer position, as Labor and the Greens call for an independent investigation into a historic rape allegation against him.
The parents of the woman who alleged she was raped by Attorney-General Christian Porter said they supported an inquiry into the circumstances that led to her death.
The woman, who has not been named, took her own life in June last year, a day after contacting NSW Police to inform them she did not wish to proceed with a sexual assault complaint she had initiated earlier that year. NSW Police have closed the case due to “insufficient admissible evidence.”
“This cannot be the end of the matter. The Prime Minister needs to provide a fair and independent process for all involved.” the Opposition Leader said in Perth.
“It’s about time that this Prime Minister took responsibility.”
Mr Albanese is currently visiting Western Australia ahead of the WA state election on March 13.
Mr Albanese said the allegation against Mr Porter was different to the historic rape allegation faced by former Labor leader Bill Shorten in 2014 because a police investigation has not taken place.
Mr Shorten made a similar public statement to Mr Porter’s in August 2014 after Victoria Police closed an investigation into historical rape allegations.
“The police haven’t actually made any findings,” Mr Albanese said.
“They’ve said very clearly they’re not in a position to proceed because the woman involved at the centre of these allegations took her own life. These are very different circumstances and we shouldn’t equate the two things because they are very different.”
Mr Albanese said there were a “range of precedents” for how a non-police independent probe could occur and pointed to the High Court’s investigation into allegations against judge Dyson Heydon last year.
“There are lots of precedents. I have sought to give the Prime Minister, frankly, the space to work these issues through and to come up with a resolution which would satisfy what needs to happen here,” he said.
“It’s a pity that hasn’t occurred.”
Mr Albanese said there were still a lot of unknowns about the allegations against Mr Porter.
“We need to find out what the circumstances are. At the moment, what we have is simply we know some of the circumstances but we don’t know all of them,” he said.
“When it involves the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, that’s not acceptable going forward.”
READ MORE:I was just a boy, I did not rape her: Porter
Rosie Lewis 3.12pm:‘Lying cow’ comment ‘incredibly hurtful’: Higgins
Brittany Higgins, the former Liberal staffer who Defence Minister Linda Reynolds referred to as a “lying cow” in front of staff after she went public about an alleged rape in Parliament House, says the language is inexcusable.
In her first comments responding to Senator Reynolds’ comments, revealed exclusively in The Australian, Ms Higgins said: “The comments made by Minister Reynolds are incredibly hurtful.
“I appreciate that it has been a stressful time but that sort of behaviour and language is never excusable. It’s just further evidence of the toxic workplace culture that exists behind closed doors in Parliament House.”
Ms Higgins said Senator Reynolds had not apologised to her for the comments.
READ the full story here.
Ewin Hannan2.50pm:McManus joins calls for independent inquiry
ACTU secretary Sally McManus has called for an independent investigation into the allegations against Christian Porter, saying he should step down during the probe.
Ms McManus said an independent investigation was “the only way we can bring these allegations to a resolution”.
“Our job is to advocate on behalf of working people and that means dealing with the Minister for Industrial Relations, whoever that might be,” she said on Thursday.
“We don’t get to choose who the Minister is, and while any investigation is occurring it would be proper for the person to step aside. This happens all the time to workers when under investigation where they are stood down on full pay until an investigation is concluded.”
Sharri Markson2.38pm:EXCLUSIVE: Parents of complainant want death probed
The parents of the woman who alleged she was raped by Attorney-General Christian Porter support an inquiry into the circumstances that led to her death.
The woman, who has not been named, took her own life in June last year, a day after contacting NSW Police to inform them she did not wish to proceed with a sexual assault complaint she had initiated earlier that year.
At an emotional press conference on Wednesday, Mr Porter addressed the woman’s parents, telling them how sorry he was for the loss of their daughter who he remembered as an “intelligent, bright and happy person.”
Porter said there was no truth to her claims that he raped her.
On Thursday, her parents released a new statement through their lawyers.
“The family of the deceased continue to experience considerable grief arising from their loss,” a spokeswoman for the family said.
“They are supportive of any inquiry which would potentially shed light on the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s passing.
“They ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time.”
Their daughter withdrew her statement to NSW Police in an email she sent on June 23, 2020.
She took her own life the following day.
The Australian understands the woman was in a period of two-weeks isolation in Adelaide, under COVID-19 restrictions, when she took her own life.
She was understood to be living alone, having returned from Melbourne where she had been seeking medical care and treatment.
The friends of the woman have been calling for a public inquiry into Mr Porter and say they will step up pressure on the Morrison Government.
READ MORE:Dangerous, vicious: Porter claims can’t be substantiated
Adeshola Ore2.10pm:PM’s job isn’t ‘to stand in shoes of police’: Waters
Greens Senate leader Larissa Waters says Scott Morrison must determine if it is appropriate for Attorney-General Christian Porter to hold the nation’s top law officer role after he vehemently denied a historic rape allegation against him.
Labor and the Greens are calling for an independent inquiry into the historic 1988 rape allegation against Mr Porter when he was a teenager.
“The Prime Minister’s job is not to stand in the shoes of the police force, it’s his job to determine who is a fit and proper person to sit at his cabinet table,” Senator Waters told Sky News.
Earlier today, NSW Police said it could not question Mr Porter over an historical rape allegation because the alleged victim had not provided a formal statement before she died. The police first met with the alleged victim on February 27 last year and investigators had ongoing contact with her on at least five occasions over the next three months. Less than four months later she decided not to make a formal statement, shortly before taking her own life.
Senator Waters said the woman withdrawing her complaint suggested she may not “feel strong enough” to continue with her complaint and lacked faith in the justice system.
“It says more about the lack of confidence that she and so many other women have in the justice system to hold sexual assaulters and alleged rapists to account, than it says about her,” she said.
READ MORE:PM walks on untrampled ground
Ellie Dudley1.57pm:Russian variant a mystery to Qld health authorities
Queensland health authorities have admitted they know little about the Russian variant of COVID-19 that arrived in Brisbane yesterday.
Yesterday, the Russian variant — known as B1.1.317 – was found to have infected three returned travellers on Qatar Airways flight QR898 from Doha.
The identification of the new variant in Australia has forced 74 travellers on the same flight as those infected to extend their hotel quarantine by five days.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath told reporters today that the state health authorities acted quickly because they are “still learning” about the variant.
“We don’t know yet if it’s highly contagious like the UK, South African and Brazilian variants,” she said.
“We don’t know if it causes more severe reactions, we don’t know if people if they’ve got symptoms, all of that we’re still learning about.”
The guests underwent blood and nasal testing on Thursday, and will be tested again on Saturday.
Those who test negative will be able to leave quarantine on Monday.
In regards to the vaccine rollout, Ms D’Ath said while the jab isn’t mandatory, those who choose not to get it are putting the public at risk.
“This is not one of those viruses and vaccines where if the majority of the population gets vaccinated and you choose not, then you’re protected anyway because everyone else is doing the job for you,” she said.
“That’s not the case – if you don’t want to get COVID, if you don’t want to get sick, if you don’t want end up in ICU, you have to get vaccinated, that is the only way you are going to be protected.”
Adeshola Ore1.40pm:First AstraZeneca jabs given in SA Friday
The country’s first doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in South Australia tomorrow.
About 300,000 of the overseas-made doses arrived in Sydney on Sunday and have now passed the Therapeutic Goods Administration quality standards after successful batch testing.
Scott Morrison said the imported doses would boost the first phase of Australia’s vaccine rollout, which includes border force workers, frontline health care staff, and aged-care residents. Last week, the national rollout of the Pfizer vaccine began.
READ MORE:Torres Strait fear as cases surge
Rosie Lewis 1.00pm:NSW Police: Porter complainant ‘wanted police investigation dropped’
NSW Police say they could not question Attorney-General Christian Porter over an historical rape allegation because the alleged victim had not provided a formal statement before she died.
Outlining a detailed timeline of the authorities dealings with the woman, NSW Police said she sent an email to detectives on June 23 last year “indicating she no longer felt able to proceed with reporting the matter, citing medical and personal reasons”.
“The woman very clearly articulated in that email that she did not want to proceed with the complaint,” police said.
Two days later, South Australian police informed Strike Force Wyndarra – the NSW Police team investigating the alleged rape dating back to 1988 – that the alleged victim had passed away.
“As previously indicated, it was only following the woman’s death that NSW Police came into possession of a personal document purportedly made by the woman sometime prior,” NSW Police said.
“From a legal and investigative standpoint, due diligence is required, particularly in historical sexual assault allegations, to ensure that the matter is comprehensively investigated and all available evidence is obtained, reviewed, and corroborated where possible.
“Investigative strategies need to be considered as part of this best practice model. Providing a version to a suspect prior to obtaining a formal statement would have an impact on any future investigative strategies.
“It is current standard practice in sexual assault investigative training that upon all of the available information being obtained (in statement form) that the formal allegation can and should be provided to the person of interest as per the procedural fairness principles for investigators, to be able to determine prima facie and whether charging of the person is appropriate.”
Mr Porter, who on Wednesday categorically denied the allegations made against him, has never been questioned by police.
NSW Police first met with the alleged victim on February 27 last year and investigators had ongoing contact with her on at least five occasions over the next three months.
At the first meeting, also attended by a friend for support, the woman said she had a “number of health issues” and advised investigators “that she dissociates and wanted to ensure when supplying her statement that she was ‘coherent and as grounded as possible’”.
Less than four months later she decided not to make a formal statement, shortly before taking her own life.
READ MORE:Morrison walks on untrampled ground
Ellie Dudley 12.20pm: Berejiklian lashes ‘disgusting’ highway funding claims
Gladys Berejiklian has slammed ‘disgusting’ claims her government increased funding for the Cobb Highway project due to her personal relationship with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire.
The highway is in far west NSW, 140km from Mr Maguire’s electorate.
However, in 2016, Mr Maguire met then treasurer, Ms Berejiklian, to “discuss the Cobb Highway” which was within metres of an Airbnb in Ivanhoe he had just purchased.
Labor member of the legislative council Adam Searle, who questioned Ms Berejiklian on the project at the state Budget Estimates today, said: “You made decisions to fund this project that would benefit your boyfriend.”
Ms Berejiklian, however, said his accusation was “laughable and wrong and frankly offensive.”
“That’s a disgusting proposition,” she said.
She said the project was funded under the discretion of the Roads Minister to assist with freight in the far west of the state.
READ MORE:ICAC flags more hearings on Maguire
Ellie Dudley 12.15pm: New NSW dams ‘challenging’: Berejiklian
Gladys Berejiklian has labelled the proposal for expensive new dams across New South Wales “challenging”.
The projects to raise the wall of the Wyangala dam, and build both the Dungowan and Mole River dams will cost a cumulative $3 billion.
Ms Berejiklian said: “I am aware that both of those dam projects are challenging due to both timing and cost.”
She added that the complexity of the engineering of the projects was “more significant than we envisaged.”
However, she refused to pin the projects on the National party – who asked for the projects to be conducted – but said the “whole” government “own those decisions.”
READ MORE:UK variant found in Indonesia
Adeshola Ore12.00am: Dutton praises Porter’s ‘gutsy’ appearance
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has praised his colleague Attorney-General Christian Porter after he gave an emotional public denial of a historic rape allegation against him.
On Wednesday, Mr Porter revealed himself as the Morrison government cabinet minister at the centre of a historical rape allegation and issued a categorical denial, saying he did not even have sex with the then 16-year-old girl.
Mr Dutton described Mr Porter’s public appearance as “gutsy.”
“To watch him stand up there and go through that vilification even with some of those journalists in the room who were just baying for blood, I thought his performance was quite remarkable,” Mr Dutton told 2GB radio.
Mr Dutton also slammed former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull who has called for an independent inquiry into the allegation. Mr Turnbull also raised questions over whether the woman took her own life.
“I think the comments say more about Mr Turnbull than it does anybody else, and as you say the really important point here is the tragedy of the family,” he said.
Labor and the Greens have also backed an independent investigation into the allegations.
READ MORE:Australians want justice but due process
Ellie Dudley11.40am:Berejiklian refuses to withdraw from ICAC funding
Gladys Berejiklian has rejected a suggestion that she withdraw from discussions regarding ICAC funding as they conduct a four week investigation into John Sidoti, claiming there is no “conflict of interest.”
The funding of ICAC is currently being debated, with the Opposition calling for finances of the body to be governed independently.
Greens member of the NSW Legislative Council David Shoebridge today at the state Budget Estimates said: “I would appreciate a premier who recognised a conflict of interest when it was staring her in the face.”
However, Ms Berejiklian said she would “undertake all my responsibilities as premier of NSW.”
“It is normal practice for the premier of the day to exercise her duties,” she said.
READ MORE:Economic growth smashes expectations
Ellie Dudley11.30am:Berejiklian silent on Country Gardens links
Gladys Berejiklian has failed to respond to a line of questioning regarding Chinese mega-developer Country Gardens’ possession of a detailed map showing a motorway near its newly-purchased property in Cawdor, on Sydney’s outskirts.
The developers had access to this map three months before the plans were made public by the government.
Country Garden is also connected to disgraced MP Daryl Maguire, who discussed receiving commissions from the developer in phone calls intercepted by ICAC.
Ms Berejiklian said she had “absolutely no idea” how the developers accessed the map.
“I have nothing to add and no knowledge of the matters you raise,” she said.
She also said she had “no recollection” of when she became aware of her former lover Daryl Maguire’s connection to Country Gardens.
READ MORE:ADF called in to accelerate vaccine rollout
Ellie Dudley 11.25am:‘No conscious misconduct’ over document shredding
Gladys Berejiklian has accepted the ruling from the State Archives and Records Authority that the shredding of documents in 2019 was unlawful, however maintained that there was no “conscious misconduct” from her office.
In 2019, staffers in Ms Berejiklian’s office destroyed documents relating to the allocation of funding to mostly Coalition-held seats in NSW, upon which she had written notes.
“I accept everything they’ve put in their report,” she told a Budget Estimates hearing today.
“I accept that it was a, in their words, ‘technical breach’ but I accept it on this basis: firstly that my office co-operated fully … secondly that no staff member acted maliciously to destroy anything.”
She said she was “not able to recollect” the notes she had written on the documents, and said the reason why the documents were destroyed was because the “rules were ambiguous.”
READ MORE:Wild ride not over yet
Ellie Dudley 11.10am:Berejiklian: limited involvement in Tudehope promotion
Gladys Berejiklian has told NSW Budget Estimates she had limited involvement in the promotion of Minister Damien Tudehope to “senior minister” during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the almost $20,000 pay rise that accompanied it.
In July 2020, the Premier did not announce the permanent pay increase or the new designation of “senior minister” publicly, but informed the clerk of the parliament and upper house president John Ajaka in writing.
Mr Tudehope’s pay increased from $309,621 to $326,541, which was criticised by the Opposition for being “unfair” during a pandemic.
However, Ms Berejiklian said in the Budget Estimates hearing that she “doesn’t know the administrative arrangements” accompanying the promotion of one of her ministers.
She said Mr Tudehope is “integral to the running of the house” and that she “assumes” he was promoted based on “the workload he had.”
READ MORE:Millions on dole as jobs go begging
Adeshola Ore11.00am:PM ‘pleased’ Porter is taking leave
Mr Morrison said he was pleased Mr Porter was taking leave to seek professional treatment for his mental health.
“He’s getting that support, as well as the support of his colleagues, as he takes that time. I’m looking forward to him returning to his duties once that period of leave is completed,” he said.
Mr Morrison said his judgment on the allegation was based on the conclusion of NSW Police who closed the matter due to “insufficient admissible evidence.”
“They are the competent and authorised authorities to make the judgments about any such allegations. And they have made their conclusions,” he said.
“The police have dealt with this matter and given us their understanding of these issues and their status and as has been the case on other occasions.”
Mr Morrison also played down the suggestion that Mr Porter would step down from his cabinet role, as Labor and the Greens press for an independent investigation into the alleged rape.
“There’s been no suggestion of that whatsoever,” he said.
“He is looking forward to coming back and to resuming his duties. We have a lot to do, and we are doing it.”
READ MORE:I was just a boy: Porter
Adeshola Ore 10.45am:PM calls for ‘rule of law’ over Porter
Scott Morrison has called for the “rule of law” to be upheld as he stands by Attorney-General Christian Porter who has emphatically denied a 1988 historic rape allegation against him.
On Wednesday, Mr Porter identified himself as the Morrison government cabinet minister at the centre of a historical rape allegation and issued a categorical denial, saying he did not even have sex with the then 16-year-old girl.
The Prime Minister said the rule of law was essential for democracy and a fundamental principle every citizen of Australia depended on. “We weaken it at our peril,” he said.
“There is not some other process. There is not the mob process. There is not the tribe-has-spoken process. That’s not how we run the rule of law in Australia. We run the rule of law
based on police, on courts, on judicial systems, on rules of evidence, on presumption of innocence.
“As traumatic as these events are, that principle must continue to guide us, and will certainly continue to guide me and my government as we deal with these very sensitive issues,” Mr Morrison added in Tomago, NSW.
“Christian Porter, the Attorney-General, has made it very clear in his statement yesterday that he has rejected absolutely the allegations that have been made. That is the same rejection that he made to me last week.”
Mr Morrison also declared there was “no alternative process” to the rule of law.
“There is no other alternative for a Prime Minister than the rule of law,” he said.
“There’s not another process. There is the rule of law.”
The Attorney-General said he would not resign “because of an allegation about something that simply did not happen”, warning it would set a dangerous precedent after which any person could lose their job based on a printed accusation.
Labor and the Greens have called for an independent investigation into the allegations.
READ MORE:Porter claims can’t be substantiated
Adeshola Ore10.30am:Lambie urges Reynolds to resign over ‘lying cow’
Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie has urged Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to resign in the wake of an allegation she called her former staffer a “lying cow” when she went public about an alleged 2019 rape in Parliament House.
The Australian has reported Senator Reynolds made the comment in the open part of her office on February 15 and it was heard by several staff members, some of whom are public servants on secondment from the Department of Defence. In a statement released late Wednesday, Senator Reynolds did not deny the report, but conceded she made remarks about news reports “regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented”.
“She’s gone this morning, she needs to resign immediately,” Senator Lambie told Sky News.
“She’s not coming out and denying that, now she’s trying to smooth it over and throw it somewhere else.”
“I think she’s finished, her career is done.”
Senator Reynolds has faced scrutiny over her initial handling of Brittany Higgins’s rape allegation as well as her failure to tell Scott Morrison of the incident for nearly two years.
Adeshola Ore10.15am:Reynolds ‘must respond publicly to ‘lying cow’ claims’
Labor’s Senate leader Penny Wong has urged Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to respond publicly to the allegation she called her former staffer a “lying cow” when she went public about an alleged 2019 rape in Parliament House.
The Australian has reported Senator Reynolds made the comment in the open part of her office on February 15 and it was heard by several staff members, some of whom are public servants on secondment from the Department of Defence. In a statement released late Wednesday, Senator Reynolds did not deny the report, but conceded she made remarks about news reports “regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented”.
Senator Wong said Senator Reynolds needed to “respond publicly” to the allegations.
“I think it would have been far better for her to have given a full, clear statement to the Senate about this matter,” she told ABC Radio.
Senator Reynolds has faced scrutiny over her initial handling of Brittany Higgins’s rape allegation as well as her failure to tell Scott Morrison of the incident for nearly two years.
“I have found many of Minister Reynolds’ explanations confused. She’s had to come back into the parliament on more than one occasion to correct answers she has given,” Senator Wong said.
READ MORE:Reynolds doesn’t deny ‘lying cow’ claims
Ellie Dudley10.10am: Berejiklian denies ‘pork-barrelling’ claims
Ms Berejiklian denied accusations at today’s Budget Estimates hearing of “pork-barrelling” in her government in the lead up to the last election.
Greens member David Shoebridge questioned Ms Berejiklian over the accusations, saying the government spent $141 million in the 9 month lead up to the election to please voters.
Ms Berejiklian said: “It is not in the public interest to suggest the government don’t put dollars where they are required.”
“Of course governments should be always responding to where the need is.”
Ellie Dudley10.05am:Berejiklian dodges questions over Maguire property acquisition
Gladys Berejiklian dodged questions over her knowledge of her former lover Darryl Maguire’s $8000 acquisition of a property a few hundred metres from the Cobb Highway in the NSW country town of Ivanhoe.
The ICAC is investigating Mr Maguire for using his position as an MP to assist his business with property developers.
In a phone call tapped by ICAC, Mr Maguire told Ms Berejiklian of his plans to obtain property in Ivanhoe.
“They like my idea of an Airbnb for the Ivanhoe houses, so I’ll have to work that one out next, anyway,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported him saying. “It just all takes time doesn’t it? Not enough hours in the day.”
When questioned by Labor Member Adam Searle over the phone call, Ms Berejiklian said she “cannot confirm” that she knew anything about the Ivanhoe house, as the matter was under investigation.
“You’re reading something that is in the possession of the integrity agency, with all due respect you are not the integrity agency,” she told Mr Searle.
Ms Berejiklian also denied any suspected “conflict of interest” of her collecting “material of impropriety” and sharing it with her former lover Mr Maguire.
“I reject the terms of the assertion you are making,” Ms Berejiklian told One Nation member Mark Latham.
“These matters have been canvassed … and have been subject to public hearings and I have nothing further to add.”
Labor member John Graham questioned Ms Berejiklian on Mr Maguire’s knowledge of a funding grant for the Wagga Wagga Conservatorium of Music in February 2018, six months before it was officially announced.
Ms Berejiklian said Mr Maguire “may have” discussed the project with her.
“He may have, as do many members of parliament on projects that are important in their electorates,” she said. “It would not be unusual.”
READ MORE:Normal people would be insane to enter politics
Ellie Dudley9.55am:Berejiklian doubles down on delay in removing Sidoti
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has doubled down on claims she was waiting for “due process” to conclude before taking action to remove John Sidoti from her ministry.
A budget estimates hearing today heard that Mr Sidoti was under investigation for 534 days before action was taken.
Ms Berejiklian said: “I was awaiting advice as to whether there would be a formal investigation.
“Once it was advised to me that there was a preliminary heading by the ICAC … he resigned and moved to the cross bench.”
She also denied accusations that it was due to underfunding of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) that the initial investigation into Mr Sidoti took “so long.”
“The funding to the ICAC has increased … and for everything the ICAC has requested funding from the government it has been granted.”
While Labor member Adam Searle continued to probe into the funding of the ICAC, claiming the state government did not supply appropriate funding, Ms Berejiklian flatly denied her government did not handle the matter responsibly.
“I ask that you get your facts straight,” she said.
“We have provided supplementary funding every time the ICAC has asked for it.”
READ MORE:Sidoti resigns ahead of ICAC probe
Ellie Dudley9.30am:Vaccine our way back to normal: Andrews
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said the COVID-19 vaccine is “our way back to normal”, saying that the state’s focus on case numbers will change as the roll out progresses.
Mr Andrews said that up until now “we’ve rightly had a focus on cases, on test numbers.”
“Once we get to a situation where those who are most vulnerable have gone through the vaccine program, all of a sudden the game can change,” he said.
However, while Mr Andrews said the vaccine was Australia’s “way out” of the pandemic, he said even when “we get to Stage 2 or Stage 3” of the roll out, “it’s not necessarily over.”
Victoria is currently not accepting international arrivals into the state.
Mr Andrews said he “can’t provide a date” on when they will resume.
READ MORE:Lockdown only way to protect elderly
Ellie Dudley9.15am: Howard defends government over ‘sensitive’ Porter case
John Howard has defended the federal government’s handling of the historic rape accusation against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
The former prime minister said he agrees with the handling of the issue by the Morrison government, saying that the prime minister has “respected” the criminal justice system and that “we should stick by that.”
“I agree with the handling of this very difficult and sensitive issue by the Prime Minister and the minister,” he told 2GB.
“I believe very strongly in our justice system.
“It’s been instilled over hundreds of years, things such as the presumption of innocence, and the role of the police in investigating criminal complaints.”
Mr Porter has denied the allegations and refused to stand down from his position, receiving support from both Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
READ MORE: ‘Dangerous, vicious, political’
Adeshola Ore9.00am:Wong: Denial won’t give ‘required confidence’ for minister
Labor’s senate leader Penny Wong says Attorney-General Christian Porter’s denial of a historic rape will not give Australians “the confidence that is required” for a cabinet minister, as Labor and the Greens push for an independent inquiry into the allegation.
On Wednesday, Mr Porter identified himself as the Morrison government cabinet minister at the centre of a historical rape allegation and issued a categorical denial, saying he did not even have sex with the then 16-year-old girl in 1988. Anthony Albanese has backed an independent investigation or coronial inquest into the woman’s death after NSW Police closed the case due to “insufficient admissible” evidence.
Senator Wong said the Prime Minister was responsible for the membership of his cabinet and should launch an independent inquiry into the allegations against Mr Porter.
“He should take action to ensure that the trial by media is not the way we proceed,” she told ABC radio.
“The reality is unless there is some form of investigation, some form of process that gives Australians the assurance and the confidence in the first law officer, I think these questions will continue.”
Senator Wong did not specify the scope of an independent inquiry or how it could resolve the allegation.
“I think these are questions that the Prime Minister should be answering,” she said.
“My only point is this, in the absence of some inquiry, some investigation that enables greater assurance, I think what you see today will continue and that is people reasonably asking whether or not they can have confidence in the Attorney-General of Australia.”
READ MORE:Labor lashes PM, calls for inquiry
Ellie Dudley8.50am:Victoria records no new cases
Victoria has recorded no new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 for the sixth day in a row.
Yesterday there were no new cases reported. 19,133 test results were received. Thanks for getting tested - #EveryTestHelps.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) March 3, 2021
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/n8OrzS08fB
The state also acquired no new cases in overseas arrivals, however are not currently accepting international travellers.
A total of 19,133 tests were conducted over the past 24 hours.
Victoria has seven active cases.
READ MORE:Australia, Asia fall behind in recovery
Ellie Dudley8.35am:Biden slams ‘Neanderthal’ states’ mask removal
President Joe Biden on Wednesday condemned the “Neanderthal” decision by the leaders of Texas and Mississippi to remove mask-wearing mandates
“I think it’s a big mistake,” Mr Biden told reporters.
Cases in the US are steadily declining as the mass vaccination across the country continues to be rolled out.
However, Mr Biden pointed out the US death toll has passed half a million, and slammed the decision of the states to relax restrictions.
“These masks make a difference. We’re on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease,” he said.
The director of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rochelle Walensky also criticised the decision, saying that the decision to defy federal guidelines and drop mask requirements were premature.
“The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, everything’s fine — take off your mask, forget it. It still matters.” she said.
“Now is not the time to release all restrictions.”
Texas, followed by Mississippi, on Tuesday brushed off instruction to keep the restrictions in place, directing businesses including restaurants and bars to operate as normal from next week.
READ MORE: Biden ‘on brink of disastrous mistake with Iran’
Adeshola Ore8.25am: Frydenberg rejects independent inquiry on Porter
Josh Frydenberg says he stands by Attorney-General Christian Porter who has emphatically denied a historic rape allegation against him.
On Wednesday, Mr Porter said identified himself as the Morrison government cabinet minister at the centre of a historical rape allegation and issued a categorical denial, saying he did not even have sex with the then 16-year-old girl in 1988.
Mr Frydenberg rejected Labor and the Greens’s calls for an independent inquiry and said the investigation had been closed by NSW Police.
“There is one body that is authorised to deal with those matters and that is the police. That is the rule we all live under,” he told ABC radio.
The Attorney-General also declared he would not resign “because of an allegation about something that simply did not happen”, warning it would set a dangerous precedent after which any person could lose their job based on a printed accusation.
Mr Porter will take a short period of leave and seek professional help for his mental health.
“He has the Prime Minister’s support, he has my support in doing that,” Mr Frydenberg said.
Mr Frydenberg said when former Labor leader Bill Shorten faced a rape allegation in 2014 there was “bipartisan approach” in politics and no calls for an independent investigation or for the accused to step down.
The alleged rape occurred in Sydney. NSW Police said on Tuesday a criminal investigation into the allegation had been closed due to “insufficient admissible evidence”.
“We’ve got a very serious allegation of criminal conduct. So that automatically becomes a matter for the police. And the police have looked into it,” Mr Frydenberg said.
READ MORE:‘I was just a boy, I didn’t rape her’
Adeshola Ore 8.10am: Frydenberg: Reynolds ‘lying cow’ claim ‘media speculation’
Josh Frydenberg has played down the allegation that Defence Minister Linda Reynolds called her former staffer a “lying cow” when she went public about an alleged rape in Parliament House.
The Australian has reported Senator Reynolds made the comment in the open part of her office on February 15 and it was heard by several staff members, some of whom are public servants on secondment from the Department of Defence. Senator Reynolds released a statement late on Wednesday saying she had never cast doubt on Brittany Higgins’ account of her alleged rape but conceded she made remarks about news reports “regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented”.
Asked on ABC radio about Senator Reynolds’ reply which did not deny the allegation, the Treasurer said “she didn’t say that she did either.”
“That is the speculation in the media. The key point is she said she has never challenged Brittany Higgins’ version of events,” he said.
The allegation will put renewed pressure on Senator Reynolds, who is on medical leave until next week, as some of her parliamentary colleagues and defence industry figures question whether she should remain in her portfolio.
READ MORE: Reynolds called Brittany Higgins ‘lying cow’
Ellie Dudley7.35am:COVID-19 chief defends ADF on sexual assault
The army commander in charge of the COVID-19 task force has rejected the notion that the Defence Force does not take matters of sexual assault seriously.
ADF chief Angus Campbell found himself in hot water yesterday after comments he made to first year cadets, asking them not to make themselves “prey” to sexual predators, by being out late, alone and “attractive.”
Lieutenant General John Frewen, however, said the ADF “takes sexual harassment and assault seriously.”
“I would encourage anyone in the ADF who has something to report to do so,” he told Today.
“Sexual assault, sexual harassment is never right. It’s abhorrent and we want to take every measure to stamp it out.”
Lieutenant General Frewen also said the ADF were ready to support the rollout of the vaccines if necessary.
“We’ve already put some people in to help with planning and co-ordination in the Department of Health here in Canberra,” he said.
“We are putting together some vaccination teams who may be called on to help with the rollout, if required.”
READ MORE: ADF chief: I wasn’t blaming victims
Ellie Dudley7.20am:Police ‘only authorised body to investigate’
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has said the Morrison government does not believe there should be an independent investigation into the historic rape allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
Mr Frydenberg said today the government has already heard from the police who were “the only authorised body” who could investigate these matters
“We don’t believe there should be an independent inquiry,” he told Sky News.
He also backed Mr Porter to remain as Attorney-General.
“[Mr Porter] fulfils an important role in the government,” he said, adding that Mr Porter “strenuously and emphatically denies those allegations”.
Mr Frydenberg also backed Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, who’s reported to have referred to her former staffer and alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins as a “lying cow.”
“Linda Reynolds hasn’t said she used that language,” he said.
“She has put out a statement and said she never denies Brittany Higgins’ version of events.”
Senator Reynolds said in her statement that she made remarks about news reports “regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented”.
READ MORE: Editorial — Rape allegation from 33 years ago is unresolvable
Ellie Dudley7.05am:‘Many questions remain unanswered on Porter’
Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy says “many questions remain unanswered” regarding the Christian Porter accusations, requesting an independent inquiry to uncover any further information.
Mr Porter yesterday said: “I honestly don’t know what I would say to that inquiry.”
However, in politics — including former PM Malcolm Turnbull, Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall and now Ms McCarthy — have requested further investigation, both into the historic rape allegation and the question of Mr Porter’s position as Australia’s top legal figure.
“I’m saying that there are too many questions that there are too many questions that still remain unanswered and only an independent inquiry could actually open up the opportunity to have a lot of those questions answered,” Ms McCarthy told Today.
Ms McCarthy also addressed comments made by Defence Minister Linda Reynolds calling her former staffer and alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins a “lying cow.”
“The obfuscation by this government, by the Prime Minister and his Defence Minister has been really, really, quite appalling,” she said.
“There is a real lack of leadership here … and we certainly need to keep pushing for answers in the space when we return to parliament.”
READ MORE:Reynolds called Higgins a ‘lying cow’ in front of staff
Ellie Dudley6.40am:‘Chain of events needs investigation’: Steggall
Independent MP Zali Steggall has said the greatest “difficulty” of the Christian Porter accusation is that he holds the position of Attorney-General.
Yesterday, Mr Porter faced the media regarding accusations of an historic rape from 1988. He has since taken a period of mental health leave.
“There is a bit of a sad irony,” she told Today.
“The role of Attorney-General requires the utmost faith. The Australian public must have confidence that the highest legal officer in the land is a fit and proper person for the role and I do think the Prime Minister needs to lead on this.”
Ms Steggall also said she believes there should be an investigation into the allegations, despite NSW Police closing the case due to insufficient evidence.
“The police were unable to get a proper statement from her and sadly she then took her life so there’s a chain of events here that I think should be investigated,” she said.
"The person involved, the Attorney- General, is a person that holds the highest legal position in the land... We have to have the Australian public satisfied that he is a fit and proper person to be in that role," says @zalisteggall. #9Todaypic.twitter.com/VQ6YtTmWJ1
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) March 3, 2021
READ MORE: Dennis Shanahan — Political vengeance won’t help victims of assault
Greg Brown6.30am:Labor lashes PM, calls for inquiry into rape claim
Anthony Albanese has suggested there should be an independent inquiry into a rape allegation made against Attorney-General Christian Porter, as he also escalated the political row over the Morrison government’s handling of the issue.
Speaking before Mr Porter revealed himself as the minister accused of historical sexual assault, the Opposition Leader said Scott Morrison would need a more stringent investigation than “just a discussion with the minister”.
Mr Albanese suggested there were a number of options for an independent inquiry, including through a “proper coronial inquiry in South Australia that examines all circumstances of this woman’s death”.
He also identified an “independent investigation at arm’s length, such as what occurred in the High Court over allegations against (former judge) Dyson Heydon.”
“The presumption of innocence is a critical part of our legal system. But now that the existing legal processes have been unable to proceed, certainly in terms of NSW Police, I think people will be looking for further responses.”
Read the full story here.
Rosie Lewis5.10am:This is only the tip of the iceberg’, Porter warned
Christian Porter has revealed himself as the Morrison government cabinet minister at the centre of a historical rape allegation and issued a categorical denial, saying he did not even have sex with the then 16-year-old girl.
The Attorney-General also declared he would not resign “because of an allegation about something that simply did not happen”, warning it would set a dangerous precedent after which any person could lose their job based on a printed accusation.
Friends of the alleged victim, who committed suicide last June, vowed they would exert more pressure on the Morrison government following Mr Porter’s emotional press conference. A friend of 30 years, who did not want to be identified but was in close contact with the woman up until her death and was involved in the push to see recourse for her allegations, said Mr Porter and Scott Morrison should not treat the press conference as providing any sort of closure.
“I implore the government to understand that the pressure will only go up and not down and that this is not the iceberg, this is only the tip of the iceberg,” he said.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said there would be no resolution to the allegations until an independent inquiry was conducted while former Liberal adviser Dhanya Mani, a friend of the alleged victim, said she would continue to campaign for an investigation.
South Australian coroner David Whittle said he had not decided whether to hold an inquest into the alleged victim’s death, the cause and circumstances of which are being investigated by police.
Mr Porter said he would take a short period of leave and seek professional help for his mental health, while insisting none of the alleged events dating back to 1988 “ever happened”.
He said he had had no contact with the woman since the January week the alleged rape was said to have occurred and had no intention of resigning from his position.
Read the full story, by Rosie Lewis and Sharri Markson, here.
Tom Dusevic5am:Linda Reynolds called Brittany Higgins a ‘lying cow’
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds referred to Brittany Higgins as a “lying cow” in front of staff members, after her former media adviser went public about an alleged rape in Parliament House.
Senator Reynolds made the comment in the open part of her office on February 15 and it was heard by several staff members, some of whom are public servants on secondment from the Department of Defence.
The allegation will put renewed pressure on Senator Reynolds, who is on medical leave until next week, as some of her parliamentary colleagues and defence industry figures question whether she should remain in her portfolio.
The Australian understands staff expressed concerns to superiors that the Defence Minister’s comments were inappropriate. Senator Reynolds later addressed her staff to apologise for remarks she said had been made during “a stressful time” for everyone in the office.
Senator Reynolds released a statement late on Wednesday denying she had cast doubt on Ms Higgins’ allegations.
“I have never questioned Ms Higgins’ account of her alleged sexual assault and have always sought to respect her agency in this matter,” she said.
“I did however comment on news reports regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented.”
Read the full story, by Tom Dusevic and Rosie Lewis, here.
Ben Packham4.45am:I was not blaming victims, ADF chief says
The nation’s most senior military officer says his warning to first-year cadets against going out “alone” and “attractive” were aimed at lowering the risk of sexual assault, not blaming victims.
Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell told new recruits at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra to stay safe by avoiding the “Four A’s”: “alcohol”, and being out “after” midnight, “alone” and “attractive”.
Australian of the Year Grace Tame, a child sex abuse survivor, said the advice was “not helpful rhetoric at all”.
General Campbell said his speech to ADFA cadets last week had “been interpreted by some in a way that I did not intend”.
“There is never an excuse for perpetrating sexual assault or sexual harassment and the perpetrator is always to blame,” he said.
“In my speech, I reinforced the importance of the trainee cohort coming together to build a community that works in support of everyone (and) establishes trust in one another.”
Read the full story here.
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