The former deputy prime minister linked his stance on the matter to his own experiences, having been the subject of sexual harassment allegations in 2018, which he denies.
Scott Morrison has a near obsession with control. But suddenly – in the course of only weeks – he has found himself presiding over a government in a shambles, where he is reacting rather than driving.
All the mayhem flows from a common source – two rape allegations, one involving staffers in a minister’s office in 2019, the other relating to a minister accused of assaulting a woman, now dead, years before he entered politics.
Waves from these allegations have embroiled the Prime Minister’s staff in a “who knew what” inquiry, threatened the futures of two members of his cabinet, and are now complicating the progress of a key part of the government’s policy agenda.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has issued a statement saying she is "deeply sorry" for the offensive remarks made about former political staffer Brittany Higgins.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is facing possible defamation action from former staffer Brittany Higgins unless she apologises for calling her a "lying cow".
Senator Reynolds apologised to staff who heard the remark but was yet to do so directly to Ms Higgins.
Ms Reynold's cabinet colleagues have stood by her, saying the comment wasn't in relation to her former staffer's rape allegation.