Birmingham: PM would not tolerate ‘grubby’ backgrounding against Higgins

The PM’s Office has been accused of a ‘grubby’ tactic after the parliament rape claim, but a minister says the PM has “no tolerance” for such behaviour.

A senior minister says he is unaware of allegations of “grubby” tactics from the Prime Minister’s office over an alleged rape, but says the PM would “not tolerate” the behaviour. Picture: Sam Mooy / Getty Images

A senior minister says he is “unaware” of claims the Prime Minister’s Office engaged in “grubby” tactics after an alleged rape inside Parliament House, but is certain Scott Morrison would have “no tolerance” for the behaviour.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham was grilled in the Senate on Thursday over claims members of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) gave negative information to journalists about the partner of Brittany Higgins.

Ms Higgins is the former Liberal staffer who alleged she was raped in the office of Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.

Network Ten chief political editor Peter van Onselen told the ABC on Thursday staffers in the PMO had engaged in a “grubby” campaign against the man.

“The Prime Minister’s Office has been backgrounding that her now partner has a vendetta, or a gripe might be the better way to put it, against the government because of him being a former public servant,” he said.

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Simon Birmingham says he is no aware of claims Scott Morrison’s staff backgrounded against an alleged rape victim’s partner. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Brittany Higgins, who alleges she was raped inside Parliament House, with Scott Morrison.

Labor senator Jenny McAllister raised the claims in the Senate on Thursday, asking: “Will the Prime Minister investigate the claims that his staff backgrounded journalists against Ms Higgins? If the claims are proved, what consequences will there be for this conduct?”

Mr Birmingham said he had “no awareness of any such activity being undertaken”.

“I will take those matters up with the Prime Minister. I am certain that he has no tolerance for such activities,” he said.

NCA NewsWire has reached out to the PMO for comment, but has not received any briefing from the PMO about Ms Higgins’ partner.

Senator Reynolds broke down in the Senate on Thursday, asking to take a question unrelated to the incident on notice.

“I think I’d be in a better position to answer this on Monday,” she said, fighting back tears.

She had previously given a statement on Ms Higgins’ allegation, claiming she became “incrementally” aware of the nature of the incident over “a number of days”.

Linda Reynolds broke down in the Senate on Thursday. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Ms Reynolds has been criticised by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who claimed she failed to inform him of the alleged rape.

Senator Reynolds said Ms Higgins’ best interests had been prioritised at all times, but conceded her response had fallen short.

“For my part, I am deeply sorry that Brittany felt unsupported at the time of the incident, in the months that followed and, in effect, the years that followed,” she said.

“I’m also deeply sorry that some of my actions, and my handling of this matter, added to Brittany’s distress.”

Mr Morrison announced an independent review into the culture of Parliament House on Wednesday after details of the alleged crime became public.

He was grilled repeatedly in the House of Representatives over his office’s handling of the incident.

Mr Morrison stood by his claim he was not made aware of the allegation until Monday, despite Senator Reynolds’ then chief of staff now working in his office.

Scott Morrison stood by his claim he was unaware of the alleged rape until Monday morning. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Ms Higgins said on Wednesday the staff member “continually made me feel as if my ongoing employment would be jeopardised if I proceeded any further with the matter”.

The prime minister said he had discussed the handling of the alleged crime with the staffer.

“I have these conversations with the member of staff. I said there has been many conversations. I am happy to indicate I have had conversations about the support provided by the member of my staff now,” he told parliament.

But Mr Morrison faced heckles from several Labor backbenchers demanding he “stop the backgrounding” against Ms Higgins’ partner.

It comes after Peta Credlin, former chief of staff to Tony Abbott, said Mr Morrison’s explanation for the events “didn’t stack up”.

“There is no way, if I was aware of an allegation like that, that the Prime Minister wouldn’t have known,” she told 2GB Radio on Wednesday.

“Misleading the parliament is a very, very grave offence, but this doesn’t smell right to me. I think there are certainly missing parts of this story.”