Australian minister breaks his silence on historical rape claim

AUSTRALIA’S attorney general yesterday confirmed that he was the cabinet minister accused of raping a teenage girl in 1988.

Christian Porter, who is also leader of the house and minister for workplace relations, denied the allegations against him at a press conference in Perth, saying he would not step down from his position.

Australia has been gripped by the claims against a previously unnamed politician since letters detailing the allegations were sent to Scott Morrison, the prime minister, on Friday.

“The things that are claimed that happened did not happen … Nothing in the allegations is true,” Mr Porter said.

“I waited for the New South Wales police to conclude their consideration of the matter. [During that time] I have been subjected to the most wild and unrestrained accusations that I can remember in Australian politics.”

Mr Porter confirmed he knew the alleged victim and that they had met at an international debating event in Sydney in January 1988, when he was 17.

The alleged victim killed herself last year.

Mr Porter said he would be taking two weeks’ leave to assess “and hopefully improve” his mental health, but he would not resign.

“If I stand down, anyone could lose their job as the result of an accusation … [it would] set a new standard,” he said.

Reporter Samantha Maiden, who was at school with the alleged victim in Adelaide, told The Daily Telegraph that she believed the Australian government was avoiding responsibility for investigating the allegation against the attorney general.

“She was a brilliant person … Very meticulous … She kept a diary, and there are many friends of hers around at the time who are prepared to speak out.

“I came across seven or eight people I know who she had told.

“In her final years she would tell anyone who would listen,” she said.