Federal Attorney General, Christian Porter stands accused of the rape of a 16 year old school girl when he was 17, following a debating competition  in Sydney some 33 years ago.

NSW Police have decided a prosecution cannot proceed after the alleged victim tragically took her own life last year. The woman initially approached police and had been willing to give a formal statement however police were delayed in taking that statement due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. The woman later sought to withraw her complaint and shortly thereafter took her own life.

Christian Porter has vehemently denied the allegations in a teary media conference, which some may cynically see as an attempt to garner public sympathy without formal testing of the evidence. Porter claims any investigation of the matter (outside the police process) would amount to him having to prove his own innocence, this claim is dubious at best as no reversal of the burden of proof has been suggested.

Many may remember that last year Porter was the subject of media attention over an inappropriate liason with a political staffer. He was also accused of an attitude of entitlement and misogyny which fellow students say were on display during his University days.

This leaves Australia in a terrible situation where the highest law officer of our land has very serious allegations levelled against him, allegations that certainly go to questions of his suitability, character and fitness for performing the role. Due, at least in part, to the tragic death of the woman involved there has been no opportunity to test the allegations in any court of law.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison must set up an independent inquiry into the allegations! This inquiry can formally test the evidence and make a determination (on the balance of probabilities) as to whether or not Porter raped the woman. An inquiry will either enable Mr Porter to clear his name or it will determine that he is not a fit and proper person to maintain his current position as highest law officer in Australia and has breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct .