A blame recreation over who was answerable for the completion of a report into who in Scott Morrison’s prime ministerial workplace knew about Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation has damaged out.
The inquiry was commissioned by Mr Morrison within the days after the previous Liberal staffer went public along with her declare that she’d been sexually assaulted in Parliament House. It was to be undertaken by then head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), Phil Gaetjens.
But the investigation was halted earlier than it might be completed in August 2021 on account of a pending prison trial. It’s understood it can by no means be completed except the division is ordered to choose up the investigation.
In current days, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his frontbench have used the never-released report back to deflect from questions on claims Labor sought to weaponise the allegation whereas in opposition.
Speaking with ABC Radio, frontbencher Jenny McAllister mentioned the questions ought to be put to members of the previous authorities.
“These were matters for the former government. As you know, the Gaetjens review was commissioned by Mr Morrison and the findings of that review, never released,” she mentioned.
“I think that it is appropriate that the former government answer questions about the way that review was conducted and why its findings were never released.”
Asked concerning the present standing of the evaluate, Senator McAllister indicated the federal government wouldn’t be dusting off the shelved inquiry.
“I think we consider that we pursued these matters in the forums that were available to us as an opposition, including in question time,” she mentioned.
Liberal senator Jane Hume, who was a minister within the former authorities, mentioned the report didn’t exist.
“The report (Labor is) talking about was ceased. There is no report because there’s a criminal investigation under way,” she informed Seven.
In 2021, Mr Morrison ordered Mr Gaetjens to steer an inquiry within the days after Ms Higgins went public and made a police grievance.
After Bruce Lehrmann was charged, the inquiry was halted, with Mr Gaetjens citing issues it “could prejudice criminal proceedings”.
Following the 2022 election, Mr Gaetjens was dumped by Labor as PM&C secretary.
Mr Lehrmann’s trial was aborted on account of jury misconduct. In December, the fees had been dropped and a retrial didn’t proceed on account of issues about Ms Higgins’ psychological well being.
Mr Lehrmann pleaded not responsible to at least one cost of sexual assault. He has frequently denied the allegation and there have been no findings made in opposition to him.
PM&C was not ordered to renew the inquiry when prison proceedings had been finalised.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
