MARK DREYFUS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
CHRISTIAN PORTER DECISION
The decision to permanently suppress the documents at the heart of the ABC’s successful defence of Christian Porter’s defamation action means Mr Morrison no longer has an excuse to refuse to hold an independent inquiry into the serious allegations against the former Attorney-General.
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, no investigation by the Prime Minister or anyone in his government and documents at the heart of the defamation case will now never be made public.
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 Australian people to be satisfied that Mr Porter is a fit and proper person to serve at the highest levels of the Australian Government.
The Prime Minister should stop making excuses and pretending this critical matter has been dealt with when it clearly has not been.
It is now time for Mr Morrison to take these grave allegations seriously and show some leadership.
Mr Morrison could start this by actually reading the documents sent to him, instead of glibly dismissing them.
FRIDAY, 30 JULY 2021
