Christian Porter has vehemently denied claims he raped a woman in the 1980s but a police investigation into her death will continue.
South Australian police will continue their investigation into the death of a woman who alleged she was raped by federal Attorney-General Christian Porter in 1988, the state’s coroner has revealed.
The coroner’s statement came on the same afternoon Mr Porter fronted the media to vigorously deny the accusations.
Coroner David Whittle said an investigation file was handed to him by police on March 1.
But, on review, he said further investigation was required.
“Whilst SAPOL has provided information to me, I determined that the investigation is incomplete,” he said.
“This was particularly evident having regard to information contained in recent media reports.”
Mr Whittle said a lawyer who assisted him had been assigned to help SA Police “in the direction of the further investigations”.
As such, he has made no decision on whether an inquest into the woman’s death will go ahead.
“The investigation is continuing and, once that investigation has been completed to my satisfaction, I shall determine whether to hold an inquest,” he said.
The woman’s friends, including lawyers and business leaders, have supported calls for an inquiry into her death.
NSW Police had been investigating the matter before the woman took her life in June last year.
She had alleged she was raped in Sydney when she was 16 years old.
Identifying himself as the accused federal minister, an emotional Mr Porter told reporters he felt for the parents of the Adelaide woman.
He went on to categorically deny the allegations.
“The things that are being said happened did not happen,’’ he said.
“It’s the truth. Nothing that is in the allegations that have been printed ever happened.”
NSW Police confirmed on Tuesday it was no longer investigating the historical rape allegation because there was “insufficient admissible evidence to proceed”.
“In November 2019, a woman then aged 48, attended an Adelaide police station seeking advice about reporting historical sexual offences, which allegedly occurred in 1988 in Sydney,’’ police said in a statement.
“The matter was then referred to the NSW Police Force and an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced under Strike Force Wyndarra.
“NSW Police Force has been the lead agency in respect to this investigation since February 2020.
“For various reasons, the woman did not detail her allegations in a formal statement to NSW Police.”
Police said they came into possession of a personal document after the woman died.
“NSW Police have since sought legal advice in relation to these matters,” the statement said.
“Based on information provided to NSW Police, there is insufficient admissible evidence to proceed.
“As such, NSW Police Force has determined the matter is now closed.”
