2021 Australian Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations

In February and March 2021, a number of allegations involving rape and other sexual misconduct against women involving the Australian Parliament and federal politicians were raised, causing controversy especially for the federal Liberal-National Morrison government. Two separate allegations involve rape, which have also sparked discussions over workplace culture, systemic misogyny and victim blaming within the Morrison government. Since then, other female politicians and staff working in Canberra have publicly told of their experiences of inappropriate sexual behaviour against them.

Australian Parliament House, Canberra, where a rape is alleged to have occurred in 2019

2019 rape allegation by Brittany Higgins

On 15 February 2021, Liberal Party junior staffer Brittany Higgins alleged to two media outlets – news.com.au and The Project[1] — that she had been raped late at night on 22 March 2019 in then-Defence Industry Minister Senator Linda Reynolds' office in the ministerial wing of Parliament House by a male colleague, who was not named, after security guards let the pair into the building.[2] Higgins said she became heavily intoxicated at a work party and left with her colleague in a taxi, believing they would both be dropped at their respective homes; instead she was taken to Parliament House and raped while slipping in and out of consciousness.[3] She was found half-naked, inebriated and disoriented in the early hours of the morning in the minister's office.[1]

Reynolds, Higgins' boss at the time, sacked the alleged assailant on 26 March 2019, four days after the alleged rape, for a "security breach", not the alleged criminal behaviour. Higgins accused Reynolds of not supporting her due to the politically sensitive nature of the incident in an election year.[3] Higgins went to the police after the rape, but dropped the complaint in April 2019, fearful the report would result in termination of her employment.[4] Higgins transferred to work for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Minister Michaelia Cash for a year before resigning a month before going public with her allegations.[2]

Senator Linda Reynolds, Defence Minister and WA Liberal Senator, who was criticised for her handling of the rape scandal within her office

Reynolds, Higgins' boss at the time, knew all the details of the alleged rape within a week of the incident. She had summoned Higgins to discuss the incident, in the office where it occurred.[3] Controversy arose following Higgins' public announcement regarding Prime Minister Scott Morrison's awareness of the allegations. Morrison denied any knowledge of the assault until 15 February 2021.[5][6] In late February 2021, it emerged that several other politicians, besides Reynolds, had known about the alleged rape but did not inform the Prime Minister. Senate President Scott Ryan knew about “an incident” the week after it allegedly happened, in March 2019. Speaker Tony Smith found out some detail in April 2019. Ryan says he only knew the full details on 12 February. Both Ryan and Smith are jointly responsible for security in Parliament House. Michaelia Cash knew about an “unspecified incident” in late 2019 when Higgins began working for her. She became aware of the rape allegation on 5 February. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton also knew about the allegation on 11 February but sought no further action, nor did he alert the Prime Minister.[7] The prime minister’s office seemed to have known details on February 12, when it first got questions from news.com.au, but for some reason staff didn’t tell the prime minister. Higgins criticised Morrison's response and cast doubts over his claim of ignorance.[8]

Reynolds publicly apologised to Higgins, as did Morrison.[9] Morrison also announced two investigations into the workplace culture at Parliament House.[9] Morrison issued a formal apology on 16 February and penned a letter to Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, agreeing to develop an independent review into the workplaces of federal parliamentarians and their staff, as well as ordering an internal review into workplace culture and complaints handled within the Liberal Party.[10]

Over the following weeks, three more women alleged they had been sexually harassed or assaulted by the same man, still not publicly named, between 2016 and 2020. One woman alleged on 20 February she was raped in 2020 by the man after the pair had dinner and drinks. On 22 February, a second woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by the man in 2016. A third woman also accused the man of unwanted advances and stroking her thigh under the table at a Canberra bar in 2017.[2] After the story went public, the accused was stood aside from his job at a large corporation, where he worked from July 2020. He checked himself into a Sydney hospital and the next day he was in a private rehabilitation clinic.[11]

On 4 March, it was reported that Reynolds had referred to Higgins as a "lying cow" after the initial media reports.[12] The Australian reported Senator Reynolds made the comment in the open part of her office and was heard by several staff members, including public servants on secondment from the Department of Defence.[13] Reynolds did not deny using the slur against Higgins, but said it was not about the rape allegation itself, but about reports of the level of support provided. Higgins threatened legal action against Reynolds.[14] Reynolds and Higgins later reached a settlement in a defamation claim under which Reynolds apologised and agreed to pay damages to Higgins, which Higgins will donate to a sexual assault support group in the Canberra area.[15]

Reynolds has faced pressure to reveal what she had known about the incident.[16] On 16 February, Morrison publicly rebuked Reynolds for not telling him of the incident at the time.[17] Reynolds was due to address the National Press Club on 24 February, but that morning she cancelled the address and was admitted to Canberra Hospital. It was announced that she had taken medical leave related to a pre-existing condition.[18][19] As of 20 March, Reynolds continued to be on medical leave on the advice of her cardiologist,[20] and has not been questioned in or outside Parliament on the circumstances or of her knowledge of the alleged rape.

Reynolds' sick leave was initially for two weeks, but on the weekend before she would have returned to work, she was advised by her cardiologist to extend her medical leave to 2 April 2021, a total of six weeks. Labor senator Kristina Keneally called for Reynolds to resign, saying "Is the Minister of defence, Linda Reynolds, trying to pretend she is (on one hand) well enough to continue as Defence Minister, but not well enough on the other to front up and answer to questions in parliament and the (Senate) estimates?" Keneally also called for an independent investigation into allegations against Porter.[21]

On 30 April, Higgins met with Morrison and said she had a "frank and honest" discussion with him. Higgins said the pair also talked about reforming the legislation under which staffers are hired, known as the Members of Parliament (Staff) or MoPS Act.[22]

On 22 May 2021 ABC Four Corners reported "Nikola Anderson, who has worked as a Parliament House security guard for 12 years, told Four Corners how she found Ms Higgins in the office of then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds after the alleged rape. Anderson was asked to do a welfare check on Higgins, and around 4.20am found Higgins naked on a lounge. Noting Higgins was conscious and did not look to be in distress, the guard shut the door and went back to her duties".

The man accused of the rape appeared by telephone at the Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory on 5 November 2021 and pleaded not guilty. He was committed for trial in the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory.[23] The trial before a jury has a tentative date of 6 June 2022.[24] Higgins has made a complaint against the AFP for unlawfully giving the man's defence team protected evidence, including counselling notes and video recordings.[25]

1988 rape allegation against Christian Porter
Christian Porter, former Attorney-General of Australia and Member for Pearce
Further information: Jo Dyer § Christian Porter court case

On 26 February 2021, the ABC published details of a letter that had been sent to the Prime Minister and several other members of parliament, including Senate Opposition Leader Penny Wong and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young. It alleged that a 16-year-old girl had been raped in Sydney in 1988 by a man who was now a member of Cabinet. The letter was anonymous, and included a statement by the alleged victim,[26] who had opened a case with New South Wales Police in 2020, but closed it shortly before taking her own life in Adelaide in June 2020.[2]

On 2 March, NSW Police stated they would not reopen the case as they had insufficient evidence to do so.[27]

The identity of the minister was not disclosed, but on 3 March Christian Porter, then Attorney-General, House Leader and Industrial Relations Minister, held a press conference identifying himself as the minister.[28] Porter denied the allegation and said he would not stand down from his positions but would take leave to recover his mental health.[29]

While some legal experts have opposed calls for an inquiry,[30] others urged the Prime Minister to conduct an independent investigation into the allegation,[31] along with Wong, Hanson-Young and the deceased's lawyer. However, Morrison refused to do so, stating it was unnecessary if the police had closed their case.[32] Proponents of an inquiry compare the situation to that which led to an inquiry into the behaviour of former High Court of Australia judge Dyson Heydon in 2020. People who regard an inquiry as unnecessary compare the situation to when then-opposition leader Bill Shorten was accused in 2014 of raping a woman in 1986. No further inquiry was held after Victorian police investigated the allegation and concluded there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction".[33] Morrison continued to block calls for an inquiry, instead moving Porter to the role of Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science in March 2021.[34]

The woman wrote that she had always remembered the alleged event, but had gained "a better understanding" through therapy in September 2019 which had "resurface[d]" her "somatic memories";[35] while friends said that she told them about the incident before this therapy.[36] It later emerged that in 2013 she had spoken to a counsellor about the alleged rape.[37] A former boyfriend of the woman said that he had had "relevant discussions" with the woman in 1989 and with Porter in the 1990s, without specifying what was discussed.[38] On 9 March 2021, the Four Corners episode "Bursting the Canberra Bubble" provided more background on the woman, and the circumstances of the night in 1988 when the alleged rape occurred.[39] It was reported that the woman who made the allegation was prepared to provide a statement. NSW Police were notified and the woman met with detectives “on short notice” in Sydney on 27 February 2020. NSW investigators had applied on 10 March 2020 for travel to South Australia to interview the woman, but the application was vetoed by NSW Police Deputy Commissioner.[40] It was also revealed that the woman, who lived in South Australia, had asked NSW Police in early April 2020 to make a statement via Skype, but was dissuaded from doing so.[41] On 8 April 2021, it was reported that the woman’s boyfriend met with detectives twice in March and made a formal statement. Police are not proposing to reopen the investigation.[41]

In March 2021, MinterEllison CEO Annette Kimmitt used a series of emails to staff to criticise her firm's decision to represent Porter. MinterEllison's board was critical of Kimmitt's actions and she later stood down.[42]

On 15 March 2021, Porter launched a defamation claim against the ABC and reporter Louise Milligan, for publishing the allegation. His claim argued that although the original allegation did not name him, he was "readily identifiable" and that the article was intended to harm him.[43] The claim was withdrawn on 31 May 2021, with the ABC paying the costs of mediation and appending an editor's note to the original article stating that "The ABC did not contend that the serious accusations could be substantiated to the applicable legal standard". However, no damages were awarded.[44]

On 10 June 2021 film producer and festival director Jo Dyer, confidante of the alleged victim, was awarded A$550,000 in costs after she brought separate litigation to prevent one of Porter's defamation lawyers, Sue Chrysanthou, from representing him. Dyer alleged that Chrysanthou had conflicting interests in the case, as she had previously had access to confidential information about the victim and Porter involving Dyer relating to a separate incident.[45][46][47]

On 24 June 2021, the original dossier detailing the rape allegation against Porter was made publicly available by the Federal Court of Australia.[48][49]

On 20 October 2021, the Coalition government blocked a bid from the Labor to have Porter investigated by House privileges committee over whether he had breached parliamentary rules over his financial disclosures, despite Speaker Tony Smith having ruled that there was a prima facie case for further scrutiny.[50] The move from the government attracted significant criticism in the media.[51][52][53][54]

In January 2022, Porter and Chrysanthou were ordered to pay costs of A$430,200 for the case brought by Dyer, although Porter was appealing the decision[34]

Further allegations

Australian Labor Party allegations

On 28 February 2021, Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said a woman had sent her an email alleging she had been raped by a man who is now a Labor federal member of Parliament.[55] A date for the alleged rape was not given, but it was described as "historic". The matter has been referred to Australian Federal Police.[56]

In March 2021, details emerged of a Facebook group where women have shared stories of sexual harassment within the Labor Party, but without sharing the names of the alleged harassers. Deputy leader Richard Marles said he was "appalled".[57]

Party leader Anthony Albanese said he had read the allegations and found them "very disappointing." He encouraged the women to come forward, to make formal complaints and "name names", saying the party needed complaints against specific people before they could take action. Albanese added that the party had recently set up a new code of conduct and process to handle misconduct allegations.[58]

Lewd photos and videos

In March 2021, photos and videos were leaked from a group chat of male government staffers, where they had performed sex acts in Parliament House, including masturbating on the desk of female MP Nola Marino.[59] Peta Credlin alleged:

When an MP cleaned out the former staffer’s desk, and the computer, that MP uncovered evidence that for many months, that staffer had regularly met with other men during the middle of the day — while the MP was in Question Time — for orgies in political offices.[60]

Alleged comments by Eric Abetz

On 24 March 2021, two days after resigning from the Liberal Party, Tasmanian House of Assembly speaker Sue Hickey used parliamentary privilege to claim Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said to her, "As for that Higgins girl, anybody so disgustingly drunk who would sleep with anybody could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of the nation at risk"; and in reference to the Christian Porter allegations, "the woman is dead and the law will protect [Porter]". Abetz categorically denied making the comments and accused Hickey of "trying to destroy the [Liberal] party".[61]

Behaviour of Andrew Laming

On 26 March 2021, Morrison demanded that federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming both personally and publicly apologise to two women for trolling them on Facebook, and stop using social media to post trolling comments. It was also alleged that Laming hid in bushes in a public park and took photos of one of the women. She reported the incidents to the police.[62] On 27 March, Laming stood aside from all parliamentary roles after another woman accused him of taking a mobile phone photo of her bottom while her underwear was visible in 2019.[63] Laming said he will take medical leave and use the time to complete counselling services he had previously committed to. Laming said he will resign from politics at the 2022 federal election,[64] expected by mid-2022, though he has not withdrawn his candidacy for preselection in the LNP party.[65]

Alleged behaviour of Frank Zumbo

In June 2021, Frank Zumbo, a staffer of Craig Kelly, was charged with sexual offences, including allegedly sexually touching and indecently assaulting three women in their 20s, and a teenage girl on multiple occasions over a period of about six years.[66] Kelly maintained in March 2021 that no-one had any complaints about Zumbo, despite former staffers saying they had raised specific complaints about Zumbo with Kelly in 2013.[67] Zumbo was bailed and pled not guilty to all charges.[68] Zumbo remains on Kelly's team, and faces 18 criminal charges.[69]

Impact

2021

The allegations sparked discussions over a toxic workplace culture, systemic misogyny and victim blaming both in political establishments and wider society.[70][71]

The Morrison government was widely criticised for its handling of these scandals, with an Essential poll finding 65% of respondents (including 76% of Labor supporters, 51% of Coalition supporters and 88% of Greens supporters) saying the Government was more interested in protecting itself than women.[72]

As well as from Labor and the Greens, the government faced criticism from within its own party. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had been made aware of the allegations against Porter in 2019, criticised him for taking too long to come forward.[73] Former Prime Minister John Howard, however, defended Morrison's decision not to open an independent inquiry into Porter's conduct.[74] Former deputy Liberal leader and former Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop also criticised the Morrison government and said that handling of sexual harassment was an issue for all parties in Parliament.[75]

2021 Australian of the Year and sexual assault survivor advocate Grace Tame also criticised Morrison's rhetoric during her National Press Club of Australia address on 3 March 2021, criticising his use of the "as a father" phrase, as well as saying "It shouldn't take having children to have a conscience."[76]

On 5 March 2021, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said she will lead a review of Parliament House's workplace culture.[77] Jenkins' final report was released on 30 November 2021. It contained 28 recommendations.[78][79]

On 23 March 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison held an extraordinary behind-closed-doors meeting with 400 Coalition staff at which he admitted his government's shortcomings in tackling sexism and bad behaviour, and acknowledged they had put up with "absolute rubbish". Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said he was sorry if anyone had been let down or not felt supported, in a five-minute address during the meeting.[80]

Morrison was criticised for his handling of a press conference on 23 March 2021 addressing the issue of sexual assault within Parliament House, during which he told reporters that an individual at News Corp was under investigation for harassment. He said to News Corp journalists "Right now, you would be aware that in your own organisation that there is a person who has had a complaint made against them of harassment of a woman in a women's toilet."[81][82] After News Corp chairman Michael Miller rejected the claim and made a statement that no employee was under such investigation, Morrison issued an apology and acknowledged that the incident he described did not happen.[81][82]

Cabinet changes were announced on 29 March 2021, with Reynolds and Porter moved but remaining in Cabinet, and the number of women in Cabinet increased from six to seven. Morrison also announced a new cabinet taskforce on women’s equality, safety, economic security, health and wellbeing, to be co-chaired by Morrison and the Minister for Women, Marise Payne, and will include all women from the ministry as well as Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.[83]

The government announced in late March 2021 that it would convene a national summit to set new goals to prevent violence against women, at a date to be determined.[84]

Adelaide radio announcer Jeremy Cordeaux was sacked by FIVEaa in March 2021 following on-air comments about Brittany Higgins, in which he described her as "a silly little girl who got drunk".[85]

2022

On 9 February 2022, Grace Tame (now heading up her Grace Tame Foundation which she founded in December 2021), and Brittany Higgins (now a visiting fellow at the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at the Australian National University) gave an address at the National Press Club of Australia,[86] which sold out quickly and garnered a huge amount of coverage in the press and on social media. Both women advocated strongly for structural change, saying the time for talking was past. Higgins said that the national plan to reduce violence against women was too vaguely worded, and needed "clearer action and firm targets".[87][88][89][90]

See also

References
  1. "Timeline of Higgins incident and response". Victor Harbor Times. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  2. Stayner, Tom (2 March 2021). "How Australian politics has been shaken to the core in the wake of Brittany Higgins' rape allegation". SBS. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  3. Maiden, Samantha (15 February 2021). "Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins says she was raped at Parliament House". News.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  4. "She Made a 'Soul-Destroying' Rape Claim. Then 3 Others Came Forward". The New York Times. 24 February 2021. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  5. "Australian Prime Minister denies rape claim, will stay in cabinet". Bloomberg. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "Dispute erupts over timing of PM office's knowledge of Parliament rape claim". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 February 2021. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  7. "Brittany Higgins: so many nagging questions left unanswered — and likely to remain so". Crikey. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  8. Murphy, Katherine (17 February 2021). "Brittany Higgins accuses prime minister of using 'victim-blaming rhetoric' after alleged rape". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  9. "Australia PM apologises to adviser who alleges she was raped in parliament". BBC. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  10. "Pressure mounting on Defence Minister Linda Reynolds over Brittany Higgins' rape allegations". SBS. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  11. Curtis, Katina; Bonyhady, Nick; Smith, Alexandra (23 February 2021). "'Not a nice person': Man accused of Parliament rape stood down from current job". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  12. "Brittany Higgins considers suing Linda Reynolds over 'lying cow' remark". The Guardian. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  13. "Linda Reynolds did not deny reports she called Brittany Higgins a 'lying cow'". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  14. Murphy, Katharine; Remeikis, Amy (5 March 2021). "Linda Reynolds signals she is prepared to apologise to Brittany Higgins for calling her a 'lying cow'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  15. Galloway, Anthony; Clun, Rachel (12 March 2021). "Defence Minister 'unreservedly' apologises after legal settlement with Brittany Higgins". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  16. Knaus, Christopher; Murphy, Katharine (18 February 2021). "Linda Reynolds refuses to say if payout was withheld from staffer alleged to have raped Brittany Higgins". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  17. Murphy, Katharine (16 February 2021). "Scott Morrison publicly rebukes defence minister for not reporting rape allegation to him". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  18. Worthington, Brett (24 February 2021). "Defence Minister Linda Reynolds admitted to hospital amid Brittany Higgins rape allegation scandal". ABC News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  19. Henderson, Anna (24 February 2021). "Alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins to make formal statement as Linda Reynolds sent to hospital". ABC News. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  20. Hitch, Georgia (5 March 2021). "Defence Minister Linda Reynolds apologises to Brittany Higgins for calling her a 'lying cow'". ABC News. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  21. Cockburn, Gerard (8 March 2021). "Calls for Defence Minister Linda Reynolds to resign after sick leave and Brittany Higgins scandal". News.com.au. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  22. "Brittany Higgins meets Scott Morrison, says he agreed system let her down over rape allegation". www.abc.net.au. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  23. "Man committed to stand trial for alleged rape of Brittany Higgins in 2019". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  24. Byrne, Elizabeth (18 November 2021). "Bruce Lehrmann set to face trial in June 2022 over alleged rape of Brittany Higgins at Parliament House". ABC News. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  25. "Brittany Higgins complains AFP unlawfully disclosed evidence in sexual assault case to defence team". ABC News. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  26. Australian Associated Press (26 February 2021). "Letter to PM reveals new rape allegation against cabinet minister". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  27. Murphy, Katherine; Remeikis, Amy (2 March 2021). "Cabinet minister to make statement addressing historical rape allegation against him". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  28. "Christian Porter reveals he is minister at the heart of historical rape allegation - as it happened". The Guardian. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  29. Crowe, David (3 March 2021). "'No rule of law left': Christian Porter won't stand down after rape claim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  30. Moses SC, Arthur (3 March 2021). "Without presumption of innocence we are on shifting sands". Australian Financial Review.
  31. "Legal experts call for independent investigation of historical rape claim against minister". The Guardian. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  32. Hurst, Daniel; Karp, Paul (4 March 2021). "Scott Morrison rejects calls for an independent inquiry into the rape allegation against Christian Porter". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  33. Speers, David (4 March 2021). "Christian Porter is digging in, leaving Scott Morrison in need of a circuit breaker". ABC News. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  34. Hooton, Amanda (28 January 2022). "Why Jo Dyer - the spokesperson of Christian Porter's accuser – is standing as an independent". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  35. Crowe, David (5 March 2021). "Woman drew on counselling before recounting alleged rape". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  36. Maiden, Samantha (6 March 2021). "Key doubts over Porter accuser's story". news.com.au. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  37. Sexual assault counsellor says Christian Porter's accuser told her of alleged rape eight years ago, Four Corners, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 8 March 2021
  38. Maiden, Samantha (12 March 2021). "Ex-boyfriend of Christian Porter's accuser reveals new details about alleged rape discussions". news.com.au. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  39. "Bursting the Canberra Bubble - Four Corners". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  40. NSW Police Deputy Commissioner denied travel request to get a statement from Porter’s accuser
  41. Police take a formal statement from former boyfriend of Porter rape accuser
  42. Bucci, Nino (10 March 2021). "Boss of law firm MinterEllison reportedly steps down over Christian Porter furore". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  43. Lowrey, Tom; Snape, Jack (15 March 2021). "Attorney-General Christian Porter launches defamation action against ABC". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 16 March 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  44. "Christian Porter ends defamation action against the ABC". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  45. Mitchell, Georgina; McPhee, Sarah; Evans, Michael (24 June 2021). "Christian Porter rape allegation dossier revealed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  46. McGowan, Michael (11 June 2021). "Court orders Christian Porter and lawyer Sue Chrysanthou to pay substantial legal costs of Jo Dyer". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  47. Debelle, Penelope (6 August 2021). "Writers' Week chief to leave after 2022 festival". InDaily. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  48. "Christian Porter rape allegation documents revealed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  49. "Exhibit 1 - Dossier + Letter (PDF, 1.8 MB)" (PDF). Federal Court of Australia. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  50. Doran, Matthew (20 October 2021). "Government blocks bid to investigate Christian Porter over legal fee donation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  51. Bath, Gemma (21 October 2021). "'A disgraceful, shameful moment.' This week, we witnessed exactly why we need a Federal ICAC". MamaMia. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  52. "Coalition's protection of Porter defies logic and belief". The Canberra Times. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  53. Maley, Jacqueline (23 October 2021). "A blind trust? Certainly, the government is keeping voters blind as to Porter's secret donors". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  54. Lillywhite, Serena (21 October 2021). "The government's move to block investigation of Porter donations is a nail in the coffin of integrity in politics". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  55. Henderson, Sarah [@SenSHenderson] (28 February 2021). "My media statement" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 April 2021 – via Twitter.
  56. Crowe, David (28 February 2021). "Labor MP accused of rape in new email". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  57. "Female Labor staffers detail allegations of aggressive behaviour and sexual harassment". ABC News. 15 March 2021.
  58. Paul Karp (15 March 2021). "Anthony Albanese says Labor women alleging sexual abuse should come forward and name names". The Guardian.
  59. Grand, Chip Le (26 March 2021). "How Parliament's sexual revolution lost its way". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  60. "Peta Credlin reveals details of orgies, prostitutes during her time working at Parliament House". The Australian. 24 March 2021.
  61. Baker, Emily; staff (24 March 2021). "Tasmanian Premier calls on PM to 'consider' accusation Eric Abetz 'slut-shamed' Brittany Higgins". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  62. Bourke, Latika (26 March 2021). "PM urged to act after Laming apologises for 'shocking' trolling behaviour". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  63. Massola, James; Fegan, Peter (27 March 2021). "Liberal Andrew Laming steps aside from parliamentary roles after fresh allegations emerge". The Age.
  64. Gooley, Cameron (29 March 2021). "Liberal MP Andrew Laming to quit politics at next election, Josh Frydenberg says". ABC News. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  65. ‘Get their hands dirty’: Laming to force LNP to drop him
  66. "Craig Kelly's staffer Frank Zumbo charged with sexual offences". ABC News. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  67. "MP Craig Kelly accused of ignoring allegations of misconduct by trusted advisor Frank Zumbo". ABC News. 24 March 2021.
  68. Massola, Megan Gorrey, James (5 June 2021). "Craig Kelly aide Frank Zumbo bailed while he fights indecent assault charges". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  69. Workman, Alice (15 April 2022). "Senior staffer accused of historical sex offences still on UAP leader Kelly's team". The Australian.
  70. "How rape allegations have rocked Australian politics". British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 2 March 2021. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  71. "Brittany Higgins accuses prime minister of using 'victim-blaming rhetoric' after alleged rape". The Guardian. 17 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  72. Hurst, Daniel (2 March 2021). "Two-thirds of Australians think government more interested in protecting itself than women - poll". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  73. "Former PM Malcolm Turnbull says Scott Morrison's response to historic rape allegation involving cabinet minister is 'not good enough'". News.com.au. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  74. Fordham, Ben (4 March 2021). "John Howard backs Prime Minister's handling of Christian Porter allegation". 2GB. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  75. Karp, Paul (8 March 2021). "Julie Bishop takes aim at federal government ministers over handling of rape allegations". The Guaridan. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  76. Stayner, Tom (3 March 2021). "Grace Tame tells Scott Morrison 'having children does not guarantee a conscience'". SBS. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  77. Canales, Sarah Basford (5 March 2021). "Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins to lead review into Parliament House workplace culture". The Canberra Times.
  78. Hitch, Georgia (30 November 2021). "Review finds 1 in 3 staff in federal parliament experience sexual harassment". ABC News. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  79. Jenkins, Kate (November 2021). "Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces" (PDF). Australian Human Rights Commission. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  80. Massola, James (28 March 2021). "Leaked audio: PM admits Coalition failings on sexism in address to staff". The Age.
  81. Crowe, David (23 March 2021). "Scott Morrison apologises after News Corp denies harassment complaint claim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  82. Maiden, Samantha (24 March 2021). "Scott Morrison apologises for 'wrong' toilet claim to News Corp journalist". news.com.au. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  83. Crowe, David (29 March 2021). "Marise Payne the 'prime minister for women' as Morrison adds women's taskforce in reshuffle". The Age. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  84. Crowe, David; Curtis, Katina (27 March 2021). "Government to convene summit on violence against women". The Age. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  85. Maiden, Samantha (29 March 2021). "Veteran Adelaide radio host Jeremy Cordeaux sacked over Brittany Higgins tirade". News.com.au. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  86. "Grace Tame & Brittany Higgins". National Press Club of Australia. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  87. Murphy, Katharine (9 February 2022). "Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins: nine key moments from the sellout press club event". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  88. Karvelas, Patricia (9 February 2022). "Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins are smashing rules and silence – and putting Australia's political leaders on notice". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  89. Arrow, Michelle (9 February 2022). "Making change, making history, making noise: Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame at the National Press Club". The Conversation. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  90. "Australian of the Year Grace Tame's full National Press Club address" (Video). YouTube. Canberra, ACT: ABC News Australia. 3 March 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.