Prime Minister Scott Morrison has publicly rebuked Defence Minister Linda Reynolds for failing to inform him about a 2019 rape allegation involving a member of her parliamentary staff. The alleged victim, Brittany Higgins, a former adviser to Reynolds, claims she was assaulted by a colleague on a couch in Reynolds' ministerial office in March 2019. Morrison stated that his office only became aware of the allegation on 12 February 2021.
During Senate question time, Reynolds offered an unreserved apology to Higgins, acknowledging that her intention had been to support the young staffer but that Higgins had felt unsupported. The defence minister confirmed that the alleged perpetrator was dismissed for a security breach, not the assault allegation, and that she did not provide him with a reference or employment assistance.
Morrison has tasked Liberal backbencher Celia Hammond with leading internal consultations to improve professional behaviour in political offices. Deputy secretary Stephanie Foster will advise on better processes for complainants, including an independent reporting mechanism. Labor has called for an independent expert review with bipartisan oversight into workplace culture at Parliament House.
Higgins welcomed the apologies and Morrison's commitment to reform, stating that a comprehensive review of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act is long overdue. She emphasised the need for an independent reporting mechanism similar to those in other workplaces.
