MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
CHRISTIAN PORTER DEFAMATION PROCEEDINGS
The decision by the former Attorney-General Christian Porter to abandon his defamation action against the ABC means Mr Morrison no longer has an excuse to refuse to hold an independent inquiry into these allegations.
Only a truly independent inquiry, conducted at arm’s length from Government, according procedural fairness to Mr Porter and all witnesses appearing before it, will provide an opportunity for the serious allegations against Mr Porter to be tested. Australians must be satisfied that Mr Porter is a fit and proper person to serve in Federal Cabinet.
As Labor said from day one, Mr Porter’s defamation action was never a substitute for a proper independent examination of Mr Porter’s fitness to serve as a minister.
Contrary to claims made by the Prime Minister, no investigation into these allegations has ever been concluded. NSW police were unable to conclude their investigation into this matter due to the tragic passing of the woman at the centre of the claims, there has been no investigation by Federal Police, and no investigation by the Prime Minister or anyone in his government.
The Prime Minister should stop making excuses.
It is now time for him to take these allegations seriously and show some leadership.
MONDAY, 31 MAY 2021
