Penny Wong has revealed she met the woman who made a rape allegation against a minister, saying she facilitated her referral to rape crisis support.
Ms Wong received an anonymous letter, also sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, which included an attachment reportedly from the woman alleging she was raped in 1988 by a man, who is now a minister.
The woman committed suicide in June 2020, having made a report to NSW Police earlier that year.
The Labor senate leader revealed on Saturday she first became aware of the allegation in November 2019, when she “ran into” the woman in Adelaide.
“The complainant made an allegation that she had been raped many years earlier by a person who is now a senior member of the Federal Government. She indicated she intended to report the matter to NSW Police,” she said.
“I said that making a report to the appropriate authorities was the right thing to do. I facilitated her referral to rape support services and confirmed she was being supported in reporting the matter to NSW Police.
RELATED: Prime Minister receives letter detailing historical sexual assault claim against minister
“The death of the woman who made this allegation is a tragedy, and devastating for everyone who knew and loved her.
“The woman, and her family and friends, have been in my thoughts throughout.
“I issue this statement in the interests of transparency, and in the hope that appropriate action is taken to examine her allegation, the circumstances of her death and what can and should be done to help keep people safe and save lives in the future.”
Ms Wong confirmed she had contacted South Australia Police to offer her assistance to a coronial investigation into the woman’s death.
She said she had also written to Mr Morrison and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, the other recipient of the letter, to “outline the steps I have taken following receipt of this anonymous letter”.
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham on Saturday made the first public appearance by a government frontbencher since reports of the alleged rape were aired on Friday.
During the press conference Mr Birmingham was pressed on whether the person at the centre of the allegations should come forward.
“Everybody is entitled to natural justice and it’s important to back the police to do their job … That’s the right way to handle this,” he said.
In 2014, then-Labor leader Bill Shorten identified himself as the man at the centre of a different historical rape allegation which had been reported in the media.
Mr Shorten strenuously denied the claim and said he co-operated with Victoria Police, which declined to proceed with the investigation, to clear his name.
Mr Birmingham was asked whether speculation could unfairly malign other ministers in lieu of the current minister taking the same action.
“Well, I’m not sure how you think it would be resolved thereafter. I think we have to respect that we have justice systems in Australia,” he replied.
But with the case unprosecutable given the alleged victim died in 2020, the letter demanded the Morrison government establish an independent probe into the alleged rape.
Mr Birmingham said it was imperative for police to pursue the matter “free of any sense of political interference or direction”.
The AFP confirmed on Saturday it had received a complaint relating to an alleged historical sexual assault and would liaise with the relevant state authorities.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMilQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9uYXRpb25hbC9wb2xpdGljcy9wZW5ueS13b25nLXNheXMtc2hlLW1ldC13aXRoLXdvbWFuLXdoby1hY2N1c2VkLW1pbmlzdGVyLW9mLXJhcGUvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9iMDYwNzgwMWM4MTYxMjEyNmI5ZGY4YjRiYWFkY2MyNdIBlQFodHRwczovL2FtcC5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9uYXRpb25hbC9wb2xpdGljcy9wZW5ueS13b25nLXNheXMtc2hlLW1ldC13aXRoLXdvbWFuLXdoby1hY2N1c2VkLW1pbmlzdGVyLW9mLXJhcGUvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9iMDYwNzgwMWM4MTYxMjEyNmI5ZGY4YjRiYWFkY2MyNQ?oc=5
2021-02-27 05:49:07Z
52781405649716
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Penny Wong says she met woman who accused minister of rape - NEWS.com.au"
Post a Comment