Scott Morrison’s investigation into alleged rape of Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House is suspended after a conversation with Australia’s top cop
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Australia’s top cop is at odds with the nation’s most senior public servant over a paused investigation linked to the alleged rape of a former Liberal staffer.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw on Monday revealed he had contacted Department of Prime Minster and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens about the Brittany Higgins matter.
Ms Higgins says she was raped by a former colleague inside Parliament House in March 2019.
Scott Morrison has tasked Mr Gaetjens with investigating who in the prime minister’s office knew about the allegation and when.
An investigation into which members of Scott Morrison’s office may have been aware of the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins has been suspended
Mr Gaetjens said he was advised by the Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw to pause his inquiry because it could compromise the criminal investigation
Ms Higgins (pictured, at the Womens March 4 Justice in Canberra on March 15) says she was raped by a former colleague inside Parliament House in March 2019
Mr Kershaw said he had spoken with Mr Gaetjens about his particular concern about the intersection of his inquiry with the police probe.
When asked if the secretary’s investigation could hamper police, Mr Kershaw said: ‘It may. It may.’
‘That’s where I used the language around intersect with our investigation. Whilst I have the terms of reference we’re not embedded in that inquiry nor would we want to.’
The AFP commissioner said he had not asked Mr Gaetjens to change the terms of reference or pause his inquiry.
‘That’s a decision he may wish to take but based on the conversations I’ve had in terms of any intersect with our criminal investigation,’ Mr Kershaw said.
Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Phil Gaetjens told a Senate Estimates hearing on Monday the inquiry had been put on hold
He said he had not spoken to Ms Higgins during the inquiry out of respect for her privacy but confirmed other unnamed people had been interviewed (pictured, Ms Higgins speaking at the Womens March 4 Justice in Canberra on March 15)
Mr Gaetjens gave conflicting evidence to a separate hearing, saying the commissioner advised him to pause his inquiry because it could compromise the criminal investigation.
He said he put his probe on hold on March 9 following advice from Mr Kershaw.
‘This is for the benefit of Ms Higgins,’ Mr Gaetjens said.
That sparked a furious backlash from Labor and Greens senators who accused the secretary of attempting to use Ms Higgins as a shield.
Mr Gaetjens also refused to say if the prime minister’s staff had ‘lawyered up’ in response to his investigation.
He said he had not spoken to Ms Higgins during the inquiry out of respect for her privacy but confirmed other unnamed people had been interviewed.
Scott Morrison tasked Mr Gaetjens with investigating who in the prime minister’s office knew about the allegation and when
Green senator Sarah Hanson-Young took aim at the prime minister’s department secretary.
‘This is a cover-up. It stinks and now we have the AFP undermining the evidence you have given,’ she told the hearing.
Labor senators accused the government of covering up during the estimates hearings.
‘What a farce. This whole morning has been a travesty of accountability to this parliament,’ opposition frontbencher Katy Gallagher said.
Mr Kershaw said the allegation made by Ms Higgins was serious and being pursued by the AFP through its ACT policing arm.
Senate President Scott Ryan also came under fire for refusing to answer questions about the alleged assault.
Senator Ryan said he would not speak about the allegations which remain part of an active police investigation.
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