news, latest-news, tanya plibersek, brittany higgins, scott morrison, aph, parliament house, rape, political staffer, linda reynolds
Labor’s Tanya Plibersek believes the former Liberal staffer at the centre of a rape allegation has been let down by the Prime Minister and that the full story over who knew what at the time is being withheld. The shocking allegations raised by Brittany Higgins look set to again overshadow debate as parliament sits for another week. Ms Plibersek, a former deputy Labor leader, said two cabinet ministers knew the events surrounding the sexual assault two years ago, as did senior staff, but somehow Prime Minister Scott Morrison didn’t know. Asked on Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program whether she thought the Prime Minister was lying, Ms Plibersek said: “I don’t think we have the full truth of this story, that’s for sure.” She said Ms Higgins was formidably courageous in coming forward after she was left to choose between seeking justice and keeping her job. “They have really let her down,” Ms Plibersek said. “No one should be made to feel like that … it’s appalling.” On Saturday Mr Morrison said he was “very upset” by reports a second woman was sexually assaulted by the same man who allegedly abused Ms Higgins. “We’ve got a problem in the parliament … so these events truly do sicken me. They do sicken me, as they should anyone,” he said. Mr Morrison said he perceived broader problems with the “workplace culture” in Parliament House, which needed to improve. Ms Higgins is proceeding with a formal complaint to federal police over the alleged rape in early 2019 inside the office of now-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds. Despite questions about Senator Reynolds’ handling of the complaint, the Prime Minister said she has his confidence to remain in Cabinet. Mr Morrison on Saturday said reports a second woman was allegedly assaulted by the same man – a former government advisor – in late 2020, were “distressing”. The woman argued that if the government had adequately dealt with the incident involving Ms Higgins in 2019, she would not have become a victim. Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott, a frequent visitor to Parliament House, said it is a place that breeds a culture of disrespect. “… of getting somebody, as opposed to getting something done, of bullying,” she told Sky News. “That culture is a cancer that gives rise to these very serious events that happen in this place, that frankly wouldn’t be tolerated in a good workplace and shouldn’t be.” Australian Associated Press
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Labor’s Tanya Plibersek believes the former Liberal staffer at the centre of a rape allegation has been let down by the Prime Minister and that the full story over who knew what at the time is being withheld.
The shocking allegations raised by Brittany Higgins look set to again overshadow debate as parliament sits for another week.
Ms Plibersek, a former deputy Labor leader, said two cabinet ministers knew the events surrounding the sexual assault two years ago, as did senior staff, but somehow Prime Minister Scott Morrison didn’t know.
Asked on Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program whether she thought the Prime Minister was lying, Ms Plibersek said: “I don’t think we have the full truth of this story, that’s for sure.”
She said Ms Higgins was formidably courageous in coming forward after she was left to choose between seeking justice and keeping her job.
“They have really let her down,” Ms Plibersek said. “No one should be made to feel like that … it’s appalling.”
On Saturday Mr Morrison said he was “very upset” by reports a second woman was sexually assaulted by the same man who allegedly abused Ms Higgins.
“We’ve got a problem in the parliament … so these events truly do sicken me. They do sicken me, as they should anyone,” he said.
Mr Morrison said he perceived broader problems with the “workplace culture” in Parliament House, which needed to improve.
Ms Higgins is proceeding with a formal complaint to federal police over the alleged rape in early 2019 inside the office of now-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.
Despite questions about Senator Reynolds’ handling of the complaint, the Prime Minister said she has his confidence to remain in Cabinet.
Mr Morrison on Saturday said reports a second woman was allegedly assaulted by the same man – a former government advisor – in late 2020, were “distressing”.
The woman argued that if the government had adequately dealt with the incident involving Ms Higgins in 2019, she would not have become a victim.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott, a frequent visitor to Parliament House, said it is a place that breeds a culture of disrespect.
“… of getting somebody, as opposed to getting something done, of bullying,” she told Sky News.
“That culture is a cancer that gives rise to these very serious events that happen in this place, that frankly wouldn’t be tolerated in a good workplace and shouldn’t be.”
Australian Associated Press
