PM refuses to open rape inquiry

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is staring down calls for an inquiry into a woman’s allegations of rape against one of his cabinet ministers, revealing he spoke to the man last week and received a complete denial of the claims.

The woman’s friends and lawyer demanded the inquiry after Mr Morrison backed the cabinet minister yesterday amid concern the police will not be able to continue their investigations because the woman took her life last June.

Mr Morrison declared it would be wrong to ask the minister to step aside on the basis of media reports about the decades-old rape, arguing that all concerned had to leave it to the police and other authorities to investigate. ‘‘We can’t have a situation where the mere making of an allegation, and that being publicised through the media, is grounds for governments to stand people down,’’ Mr Morrison said yesterday.

‘‘We have a rule of law in this country and it’s appropriate that these things were referred to the federal police – they have been. They’re the people who are competent and authorised to deal with issues of this sensitivity and this seriousness.’’

Asked if he believed the allegations to be false, Mr Morrison said that was a question for the police because allegations of criminal conduct should always be handled by authorities.

‘‘I had a discussion with the individual, who absolutely rejects the allegations,’’ Mr Morrison said. ‘‘At this stage there are no matters that require my immediate attention.’’

Asked if he would hold an inquiry, Mr Morrison said: ‘‘I’m not the police force. I have given it to the police to investigate.’’

While Mr Morrison and other ministers relied heavily on the Australian Federal Police in fending off calls for an inquiry, the AFP appears likely to leave the matter to state jurisdictions.

The woman alleged the rape took place in Sydney in January 1988 and took her claim to the NSW Police in February last year, but the state investigation stopped in June when she took her own life.

South Australia Police has prepared material for the state coroner, who is considering whether to hold an inquest into the woman’s death in her home city of Adelaide.

‘‘The coroner can confirm the matter is under investigation,’’ said a spokeswoman for the coroner.

One of the woman’s close friends, Dhanya Mani, expressed dismay at Mr Morrison’s refusal to launch an inquiry into the claims and ask the minister to stand aside.

‘‘The only way in which an investigation could occur is if the Prime Minister decided to fund an independent inquiry,’’ Ms Mani said.

‘‘There has never been a moment from that first conversation when I have doubted anything that she has said.’’

The woman’s lawyer, Michael Bradley of Marque Lawyers, has also called for an independent inquiry.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has called for a full inquiry into the decades-old rape allegations but Labor leader Anthony Albanese has said the decision is one for Mr Morrison.

Mr Morrison’s office received an anonymous letter about the woman’s allegations last week when it was forwarded by Liberal MP Celia Hammond, who received the document also sent to Labor Senator Penny Wong and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who forwarded it to police.

The Prime Minister did not read the letter or the woman’s account of her experience and was instead briefed on the documents, which his office also sent to the AFP.

Mr Morrison spoke to AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw about the claims last Wednesday and said that conversation did not raise any ‘‘immediate’’ issue he should act upon.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said yesterday the rule of law meant there was a presumption of innocence for the minister.

Labor deputy leader and jobs spokesman Richard Marles said any decision on standing the minister aside was one for Mr Morrison, but he stopped short of calling for that course of action.

‘‘I think ultimately, it is a matter for the Prime Minister then to satisfy himself that the cabinet minister in question is in a position to continue to act while whatever processes are under way are complete. And really, that’s a matter for the Prime Minister.’’