Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out seeking advice from the Solicitor-General over a historical rape allegation made against Attorney-General Christian Porter.
Mr Porter has strenuously denied claims that he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in Sydney in 1988 – when he was 17 years old.
Former Solicitor-General Justin Gleeson has suggested the government seek legal advice on whether Mr Porter is a fit and proper person to hold the Attorney-General position.
The Solicitor-General provides advice to the government on legal matters.
Mr Morrison said he had not received this advice from his office.
“He is entitled to his opinion on this, but that is not the advice I have been provided at any time during the course of managing this matter,” he said.
Mr Morrison said Mr Porter was an “innocent man” under Australia’s legal system and a “fine” attorney general and industrial relations minister.
“He is an innocent man under our law,” Mr Morrison said.
“To suggest there should be some different treatment applied to him, based on what had been allegations that the police have closed the matter on, I think it would be grossly inappropriate to take actions against him on that basis.”
