Attorney-General Christian Porter denies historical rape as he takes mental health leave

Lanai ScarrThe West Australian
VideoAttorney-General Christian Porter breaks down as he denies historical rape allegations

Attorney-General and West Australian MP Christian Porter has outed himself as the cabinet Minister accused of an historical rape but has refused to step down in an emotionally-charged press conference this afternoon.

Mr Porter fought back tears as he denied the accusations and announced he was taking a short period of leave to focus on his mental health.

He began his statement by addressing the parents of the accused victim, who has since taken her own life.

“I hope that you will also understand that because what is being alleged did not happen I must say so publicly,” Mr Porter said.

Camera IconChristian Porter fronts the media in regards to rape allegations. Credit: Daniel Wilkins
Read more...

He said all he knew about the allegations was through what he had read in media reports and had never formally received information on the detail behind the 1988 accusations.

“Nothing in the allegations that have been printed ever happened,” he said.“In this last week I have tried to do what I have done all of my life — respect the rules and processes of the law.”

The West Australian MP said he did not speak earlier because he wanted to respect the investigations by police.

Your user agent does not support frames or is currently configured not to display frames. This frame is attempting to link to https://omny.fm/shows/the-west-live/minister-rape-allegations-parliaments-worst-kept-s/embed

He said his colleagues had been subject to “wild speculation”.

“My colleagues are my friends and I am deeply sorry,” Mr Porter said.

He refused to step down as Attorney-General, instead saying he had spoken to the Prime Minister about taking personal leave “for my own sanity”.

“If I stand down from my position as Attorney General because of an allegation about something that simply did not happen, then any person in Australia can lose their career, their job, their life's work based on nothing more than an accusation that appears in print,” Mr Porter said.

“If that happens, anyone in public life is able to be removed simply by the printing of an allegation. Every child we raise can have their lives destroyed by online reporting of accusations alone.

“I am not standing down or aside.”

I am not standing down or aside

- Attorney-General Christian Porter.

The Attorney General said he sympathised with former Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who was also accused of an historical rape.

“When something similar happened to the former leader of the Opposition everyone respected the process. With me certain outlets could not even last a week,” Mr Porter said.

“Up until last week, central to our justice system and Australian journalism there was always a basic starting point of fair process.”

He said in November he had heard a “rumour” that he had offended against someone in a way that was never put to him specifically.

Mr Porter said he had not had any contact with the alleged victim since the time in January 1988 when the pair spent time together during a debating championship.

Camera IconAttorney-General Christian Porter. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian

“I remembered it as a happy time. It was 33 years ago. I remember the person as an intelligent, bright, happy person, but I haven't had any contact with this person at all since 1988,” he said.

He said he thinks he had a girlfriend in Perth at the time and would not rule out a defamation case.

“You are assuming a course of action I just haven't fully contemplated,” he said.

Mr Porter said the Prime Minister and he first spoke about the matter last Wednesday and conceded the situation may have implications on his views on remaining in public life.

“I'm sure it will change my views on a whole range of things,” Mr Porter said.

WA senator Michaelia Cash will stand in for Mr Porter while he is on leave.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails