Peter Dutton’s defamation proceedings ‘cause for real concern’
Peter Dutton’s defamation proceedings ‘cause for real concern’
28 April 2021 • By Naomi Neilson Share
As part of the ongoing fallout from Parliament House’s recent onslaught of sexual harassment and assault allegations, federal Defence Minister Peter Dutton has launched defamation proceedings against a refugee advocate who took aim at “he said, she said” comments made by the minister after the Brittany Higgins’ reveal.
Lawyers for advocate Shane Bazzi have indicated that they will “vigorously defend” their client for his “honest” opinion that Peter Dutton is a “rape apologist” following a number of publicly reported statements attributed to the minister. The firm said these comments would have “undoubtedly provoked a number of different opinions”.
At the height of controversy regarding Brittany Higgins’ allegation that she had been raped in then-defence minister Linda Reynolds’ office by a fellow Liberal staffer, Dutton said he was not aware of the “she said, he said details of the allegations”.
Dutton’s language prompted a backlash from his political opponents, including a tweet published on 25 February by Bazzi claiming “Peter Dutton is a rape apologist”.
Bazzi pasted a link to a June 2019 Guardian Australia article reporting comments the then-home affairs minister had made alleging women had been “trying it on” in claiming they were raped and needed an abortion as part of a ploy to get to Australia for medical treatment from refugee centres on Nauru.
Brittany Higgins has revealed her six demands to help stamp out sexual assault, harassment and workplace exploitation in federal politics.
The former Liberal staffer, who claims she was raped by a colleague in Parliament House in 2019, wants to meet Scott Morrison next week to discuss her proposals.
The prime minister has previously said he would be happy to meet Ms Higgins but despite numerous discussions his staff are yet to confirm a date.
Brittany Higgins has revealed six demands to help stamp out sexual assault and harassment in federal politics
Brittany Higgins six demands
Set up an independent complaints body
Brittany Higgins writes to PM about her wishes for upcoming meeting
Brittany Higgins has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressing her wishes for their upcoming meeting, which is expected to take place next week.
In the letter, Ms Higgins said she welcomed Mr Morrison s formal invitation to meet and hoped the conversation would result in meaningful reform on the issue of workplace harassment and sexual assault.
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Brittany Higgins has written to the PM about her wishes for their upcoming meeting.(Dominic Lorrimer) As I made clear in my public statements, I consider this an incredibly important opportunity to fix a broken system and ensure no other staff has to experience something similar in Parliament House again, she wrote.
Brittany Higgins boyfriend has criticised Scott Morrison for refusing to apologise to ousted Australia Post boss Christine Holgate.
In a tweet on Wednesday, David Sharaz wrote: Genuine question: why is it so hard for our PM to apologise to women?
The jibe came after Mr Morrison said he regretted causing distress but stopped short of saying sorry to Ms Holgate who accused him of bullying her out of a job last year.
Brittany Higgins boyfriend (pictured together) has criticsed Scott Morrison for refusing to apologise to ousted Australia Post boss Christine Holgate
Scott Morrison has refused to apologise to ousted Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate (pictured)