Over the last few days, no less than five federal government ministers have publicly stated their support for Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s claims that he knew nothing about the 2019 alleged rape committed just metres from his office and reported by former media staffer Brittany Higgins, until February 2021.
Mr Morrison also claims his staff in the Prime Minister’s Office were unaware of the alleged crime.
The precariousness nature of Mr Morrison’s claims is addressed in this piece written by me for Independent Australia. Former Prime Ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Kevin Rudd have stated their incredulity that such a serious incident could take place in Parliament House without the Prime Minister’s Office being made aware of it immediately.
The Ministers who have supported Morrison’s claims to ignorance are:
Lynda Reynolds, Minister for Defence.
Marise Payne, Minister for Women.
Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services
Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills Small and Family Business
Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs
President of the Senate, Scott Ryan, has admitted being told of a “serious incident” in 2019, and claims he made no further inquiries as to what that incident was.
The Speaker of the House, Tony Smith, has admitted to being told of a “serious incident” in 2019, and claims he made no further inquiries as to what that incident was.
All the above are conspiring to conceal the full circumstances of a serious crime committed in their workplace.
This week, former Liberal Staffer Chelsea Potter claimed she was sexually assaulted when working in the office of Senator Simon Birmingham, Minister for Finance. Birmingham refused to assist her.
Also this week, Ruby O’Rourke claimed that in 2016 she was “continually assaulted by a well-know politician.” Ms O’Rourke says she has named Greg Hunt, Minister for Health and Aged Care, because he knows.
Just to be clear, I name Greg Hunt because he knows.
My point is, when I tried to inform of the problems, I was ignored. In fact, the govt then made me the problem interfering in all efforts to fulfill my obligations as a child health provider.
— Ruby O'Rourke (@SHE_RubyORourke) February 21, 2021
In November 2020, Four Corners aired a program titled Inside the Canberra Bubble. The Morrison government went to great lengths to try to prevent the program going to air, and then threatened the ABC to the extent that the broadcaster’s Chair, Ita Buttrose, publicly defended the program.
Alan Tudge, Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, who campaigned on family values, was revealed to have had an extra marital affair with staffer, Rachelle Miller, who has now lodged formal complaints of bullying against him, and against Michaelia Cash.
Attorney-General Christian Porter was alleged in the program to have a history of sleazy sexist behaviour towards women. Porter immediately announced he was taking legal action against Four Corners. However, we have heard nothing further about any such action.
The number of Morrison’s ministers involved in allegations of sexual harassment and the concealment of sexual violence against women in their workplace is astounding.
The message to women working in Parliament House is clear. No minister will support you.
At time of writing Linda Reynolds, who was due to appear at the National Press Club today, has been admitted to hospital. Reynolds was expected to come under intense scrutiny at the Press Club today over her management of the Higgins rape allegations.
The alleged rapist is also in hospital.
https://twitter.com/tegangeorge/status/1364341934811193350
This article was originally published on No Place For Sheep.
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