Christian Porter on rape allegations: "I was aware of a whispering campaign.... .the only thing I am every going to be able to say, and it's the truth, is that nothing in the allegations ever happened."
Christian Porter says he sympathises with and understands what Bill Shorten went through, laments that the media left Shorten alone, there were not calls for him to stand down as there have been for Porter. The media have "convicted me publicly with allegations." /2
Porter said he had no idea of allegations, never put to him, "never contacted in any substantive form by anyone" putting details of allegations. No senior politicians or ex-politicians. "No journalist has ever put the detail of the allegations to me" that would allow response. /3
Says he has given "everything in the tank" to this government trying to help the country in hard time If he stand down as AG because of something he didn't do, he says, then anyone would be able to be sacked because of a printed accusation. /4
Christian Porter says if he stands down there would no longer be any "rule of law". Says he will take leave for his mental health. "all of my life I have pushed through" but for those who have asked if he is ok, the answer is: 'I really don't know". Cries, red eyes. /5
Christian Porter says he did not sleep with alleged victim but won't speak to the allegations for the sake of her family. /6
An inquiry would only ask him to "disprove something that didn't happen 33 years ago", Christian Porter says, so he does not know what he would say before it. Says the Dyson Heydon inquiry was a workplace matter. /7
Why didn't Christian Porter ensure he had a full copy of, brief on, the allegations, before giving this press conference? Or call one of his - and the alleged victim's - friends for detail? Why is the onus on everyone else? /8
And as I watch, and tweet this press conference, close, old friends of the alleged victim text me saying they feel "physically sick". /9
Are you aware of any other allegations against you? Have you ever asked someone to sign a non-disclosure agreement? Christian Porter says no. /10
Now Christian Porter is asked: given the stance of the government is to believe sexual assault victims, isn't that at odds with his stance? He answers, "there are circumstances where someone might believe something but it might not be a reliable account." /11
The Attorney General is framing himself as the victim here, of false allegations, a media trial, of "cynics", a "hard and tough environment". He starts to cry: "Imagine for a second that [the rape allegation] is not true." /12
So NSW police did not manage to take an official statement from the alleged victim (because she was in Adelaide, and COVID), and now we learn NSW police never approached Christian Porter, the subject of the allegations for a statement either. Some serious questions here. /13
Christian Porter says he does recall the ironing of the shirt - said he did not know how to iron a shirt when 17 and the woman alleging rape offered to show him. Again, he denies the allegations. /14
In a final statement, Christian Porter says: "The things I have read did not happen and to suggest they could be forgotten is ridiculous. They just never happened." Then, with an expression of consternation, looking shattered, walks out. Will now be taking leave. /15
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