Australia live news: NSW to ease Covid restrictions; Eric Abetz denies making ‘unacceptable’ comments about Brittany Higgins

I wish to make a statement to the House.

And I make this statement to the House not as the Speaker but as independent member for Clark to clarify statements I made in the same capacity on ABC Radio yesterday. It appears that these statements may have inadvertently brought into question the integrity of Senator John Duniam.

I have an obligation to set this record straight.

On Monday the first of March at the Hobart City Council’s citizenship ceremony, I casually asked the Honourable Senator Eric Abetz if the Minister allegedly accused of the alleged rape that occurred around 30 years ago was the Honourable Christian Porter MP.

The Senator quickly responded that yes, it was the first law officer of the nation, Christian Porter, but not to worry, the woman is dead and the law will protect him.

He then said, as for that Higgins girl, anybody who is so disgustingly drunk, who would sleep with anybody, could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of our nation at risk.

My immediate thoughts were, ‘What if that girl’s drink had been spiked?’

And even if she was drunk, wouldn’t a caring man see that she got home safely? No one, no matter how drunk, or what they wear, or where they walk at night deserves to be sexually assaulted.

I say to the senator on this matter, Ms Higgins did not choose to sleep with this man.

She was raped.

I asked senator Abetz why the security guards hadn’t stepped in knowing how drunk she appeared to be.

He responded abruptly that if any security member dared to question the validity of access to the parliament by anyone who held a security pass, they would be sacked.

I felt sick knowing that the last line of protection for this young woman was not able to be provided due to the practices and protocols of that Parliament. I accept that these are deeply held views by the Senator.

However, they are not endorsed by our wider community who view this judgment as slut-shaming. I know that there are many good men not only in our community but also in our Liberal party who would also find these comments completely unacceptable and out of touch.

Senate positions are highly coveted, and the selection process is very carefully managed by a select group of Liberals.

If we want the views of our parliament to reflect the views of our community, I respectfully suggest to these selectors that we have an obligation not to reward poor behaviour.