Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to move the following motion:

That this House:

(1) notes:

(a) one member of the Prime Minister's staff knew about the reported sexual assault of Brittany Higgins two years ago, a second member of his staff said it would be raised with his Chief of Staff two year ago, a third member of his staff knew the alleged perpetrator had been dismissed two years ago, a fourth member of his staff checked in with Ms Higgins after Four Corners last year, numerous Ministers were aware of relevant facts, but the Prime Minister says he had no idea about anything until the story broke last Monday;

(b) despite a clear call from Ms Higgins for an independent investigation into how her reported sexual assault was handled by the Morrison Government, the Prime Minister has announced a review by his former Chief of Staff and refuses to guarantee it will be made public;

(c) the Prime Minister knew about the inappropriate behaviour of a staff member employed by the Member for Hughes but did nothing and now seeks to cover up his knowledge and failure to act; and

(d) whether it is sports rorts, community safety rorts, grassgate, watergate, forged documents, and matters as grave as bushfires, the pandemic and reported sexual harassment and assault, the Prime Minister always thinks about politics and never accepts responsibility; and

(2) therefore, condemns the Prime Minister for always acting in his political interests instead of the interest of Australians.

Leave not granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion immediately—

That this House:

(1) notes:

(a) one member of the Prime Minister's staff knew about the reported sexual assault of Brittany Higgins two years ago, a second member of his staff said it would be raised with his Chief of Staff two year ago, a third member of his staff knew the alleged perpetrator had been dismissed two years ago, a fourth member of his staff checked in with Ms Higgins after Four Corners last year, numerous Ministers were aware of relevant facts, but the Prime Minister says he had no idea about anything until the story broke last Monday;

(b) despite a clear call from Ms Higgins for an independent investigation into how her reported sexual assault was handled by the Morrison Government, the Prime Minister has announced a review by his former Chief of Staff and refuses to guarantee it will be made public;

(c) the Prime Minister knew about the inappropriate behaviour of a staff member employed by the Member for Hughes but did nothing and now seeks to cover up his knowledge and failure to act; and

(d) whether it is sports rorts, community safety rorts, grassgate, watergate, forged documents, and matters as grave as bushfires, the pandemic and reported sexual harassment and assault, the Prime Minister always thinks about politics and never accepts responsibility; and

(2) therefore, condemns the Prime Minister for always acting in his political interests instead of the interests of Australians.

The greatest waste of money was on the empathy consultant for this Prime Minister—

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