Parents back call for probe

THE parents of a woman who alleged she was raped by federal Attorney-General Christian Porter in 1988 have supported any new inquiry that would “shed light” on her death last year.

The family on Thursday described their “considerable grief” over the loss of their daughter, after Prime Minister Scott Morrison slapped down Labor’s push for an independent probe.

While the South Australian coroner is still considering whether to hold an inquest, Mr Morrison said he would not order his own investigation because he did not support a “mob process”.

It came as NSW police revealed detectives spoke to the alleged victim at least five times last year, before she “very clearly articulated” she did not want to proceed with her complaint two days before her death.

Mr Morrison gave his full backing to the nation’s chief law officer on Thursday after Mr Porter categorically denied raping the woman during a debating competition and said the accusations were “wild, intense and unrestrained”.

Senior government figures rallied around Mr Porter, with one saying he had “no choice but to fight on”.