Tasmanian Premier has written to PM on Abetz alleged 'horrendous' comments about Higgins - The Canberra Times

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison over a claim that Liberal senator Eric Abetz made denigrating comments to a fellow Tasmanian politician about women who reported sexual assault allegations. The Speaker of the Tasmanian Parliament, Sue Hickey, claims that Senator Abetz said former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins was a security risk who was "so disgustingly drunk" she could have slept with a spy. The Speaker also claimed that Senator Abetz said the allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter were not a problem because "the woman is dead and the law will protect him". Senator Abetz denied the claims in Canberra on Wednesday, but Mr Gutwein confirmed Ms Hickey had raised the matter with him "a few weeks ago". "A few weeks ago Ms Hickey raised this matter with me, but not to the level of detail that was in her statements today, and did not make a formal complaint to me or request that I take any action," Mr Gutwein said in a statement. "As Ms Hickey has outlined her allegations in more detail in the Parliament, this afternoon I have written to the Prime Minister and requested that he consider the matters raised." Senator Abetz was chairing the Defence estimates hearing in Canberra while the statement was being made in the Tasmanian Parliament. "To suggest that I would make light of a rape allegation is horrendous, categorically denied by myself, and a full statement will be made," Senator Abetz told the hearing. In that subsequent statement, Senator Abetz said the allegations were defamatory. "Allegations of rape are serious matters and have always been treated as such by me. Sexual assault is an issue on which I've been consistently outspoken, including domestic violence," he said. "Ms Hickey's suggestions otherwise [are] simply false ... I reject outright her suggestions and gross mischaracterisation of our discussion." Ms Hickey, in turn, responded with her own statement. "As can be expected by Senator Abetz, he has responded with denial and very grubby politics. I am highly offended by this misleading and mischievous commentary," she said in the statement. "This is why the women of Australia are angry. This is why they do not speak out. I have witnesses who can testify that I told them of the discussion at the event and immediately afterwards. "Since that date I have also discussed it with others, including senior members of the party in both the political and administrative wing a couple of weeks ago, well prior to my removal from preselection discussions. "The reason I raised it today was because I saw the ABC Four Corners story regarding the inability of the security guards to intervene in the Higgins incident, and I felt compelled to call this out." Labor senator Penny Wong read the alleged comments into the hearing and asked the acting Defence Minister Marise Payne to respond. "It's a deeply, deeply distressing thing for anybody to say. I hope it was not said," Senator Wong said. She added that she had sensitivity about the topic and about Ms Higgins. Senator Payne confirmed the assertions "of course" did not reflect the view of the government. "This is a deeply, deeply difficult time and I am also particularly aware of the impact of such remarks on Ms Higgins," Senator Payne said. Earlier Wednesday, Ms Hickey made a statement in the Tasmanian Parliament alleging that Senator Abetz had spoken with her on March 1 at the Hobart City Council 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 so disgustingly drunk who would sleep with anybody could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of the nation at risk'." Ms Hickey said she asked Senator Abetz why the security guards hadn't stepped in. "He responded very abruptly, that if any security member dared to question the validity of access to the Parliament by anyone who held a security pass, they should be sacked," she said. "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 Parliament." Ms Hickey has recently been disendorsed by the Liberal Party of Tasmania, but the conversation with Mr Gutwein predates that decision. Senator Abetz said it was noteworthy Ms Hickey was making the comments now, as she had not raised concerns with him about them previously. "On her way out the door she is trying to destroy the party - noting she has demeaned all her former female Liberal colleagues of Parliament and especially the Attorney-General, the membership which initially endorsed her and even 'unknown people'," he said in his statement. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

The Speaker of the Tasmanian Parliament, Sue Hickey, claims that Senator Abetz said former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins was a security risk who was "so disgustingly drunk" she could have slept with a spy.

The Speaker also claimed that Senator Abetz said the allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter were not a problem because "the woman is dead and the law will protect him".

Senator Abetz denied the claims in Canberra on Wednesday, but Mr Gutwein confirmed Ms Hickey had raised the matter with him "a few weeks ago".

"A few weeks ago Ms Hickey raised this matter with me, but not to the level of detail that was in her statements today, and did not make a formal complaint to me or request that I take any action," Mr Gutwein said in a statement.

"As Ms Hickey has outlined her allegations in more detail in the Parliament, this afternoon I have written to the Prime Minister and requested that he consider the matters raised."

Senator Abetz was chairing the Defence estimates hearing in Canberra while the statement was being made in the Tasmanian Parliament.

"To suggest that I would make light of a rape allegation is horrendous, categorically denied by myself, and a full statement will be made," Senator Abetz told the hearing.

In that subsequent statement, Senator Abetz said the allegations were defamatory.

"Allegations of rape are serious matters and have always been treated as such by me. Sexual assault is an issue on which I've been consistently outspoken, including domestic violence," he said.

"Ms Hickey's suggestions otherwise [are] simply false ... I reject outright her suggestions and gross mischaracterisation of our discussion."

Ms Hickey, in turn, responded with her own statement.

"As can be expected by Senator Abetz, he has responded with denial and very grubby politics. I am highly offended by this misleading and mischievous commentary," she said in the statement.

"This is why the women of Australia are angry. This is why they do not speak out. I have witnesses who can testify that I told them of the discussion at the event and immediately afterwards.

"Since that date I have also discussed it with others, including senior members of the party in both the political and administrative wing a couple of weeks ago, well prior to my removal from preselection discussions.

"The reason I raised it today was because I saw the ABC Four Corners story regarding the inability of the security guards to intervene in the Higgins incident, and I felt compelled to call this out."

Labor senator Penny Wong read the alleged comments into the hearing and asked the acting Defence Minister Marise Payne to respond.

"It's a deeply, deeply distressing thing for anybody to say. I hope it was not said," Senator Wong said. She added that she had sensitivity about the topic and about Ms Higgins.

Senator Eric Abetz. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

Senator Payne confirmed the assertions "of course" did not reflect the view of the government.

"This is a deeply, deeply difficult time and I am also particularly aware of the impact of such remarks on Ms Higgins," Senator Payne said.

Earlier Wednesday, Ms Hickey made a statement in the Tasmanian Parliament alleging that Senator Abetz had spoken with her on March 1 at the Hobart City Council 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 so disgustingly drunk who would sleep with anybody could have slept with one of our spies and put the security of the nation at risk'."

Ms Hickey said she asked Senator Abetz why the security guards hadn't stepped in.

"He responded very abruptly, that if any security member dared to question the validity of access to the Parliament by anyone who held a security pass, they should be sacked," she said.

"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 Parliament."

Tasmanian Parliament Speaker Sue Hickey. Picture: Twitter

Ms Hickey has recently been disendorsed by the Liberal Party of Tasmania, but the conversation with Mr Gutwein predates that decision.

Senator Abetz said it was noteworthy Ms Hickey was making the comments now, as she had not raised concerns with him about them previously.

"On her way out the door she is trying to destroy the party - noting she has demeaned all her former female Liberal colleagues of Parliament and especially the Attorney-General, the membership which initially endorsed her and even 'unknown people'," he said in his statement.

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2021-03-24 08:41:00Z
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Tasmanian Premier has written to PM on Abetz alleged 'horrendous' comments about Higgins - The Canberra Times

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