Extract from ABC News
By political reporter Stephanie Dalzell and Elizabeth Byrne
A 31-page dossier detailing a rape allegation against former attorney-general Christian Porter has been made publicly available for the first time.
Key points:
- A dossier detailing the rape allegation against Christian Porter has been released publicly for the first time
- Mr Porter has repeatedly and strenuously denied the allegation
- It comes after defamation action brought by Christian Porter against the ABC was settled
The Federal Court has published the partially redacted document, which details the woman's allegation she was raped three times by Mr Porter in Sydney in 1988, when they were both teenagers.
The dossier includes diary notes taken by the woman, who says the alleged offence occurred in her room at the University of Sydney Women's College, after a formal dinner for the World Universities' Debating Championships.
Mr Porter has repeatedly and strenuously denied the allegation.
The woman withdrew her complaint to police in the days before her death.
In March, New South Wales Police said there was insufficient admissible evidence to proceed with an investigation in the matter, and Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly rebuffed calls for an independent inquiry.
Earlier this year, the ABC's Four Corners reported on the dossier, saying it contained a historical allegation of rape against a serving Cabinet minister and had been sent to several federal politicians including Mr Morrison.
The report did not name Mr Porter, but his legal team claim he was easily identifiable.
He subsequently came forward as the minister in question and launched defamation action against the ABC.
In May, the parties settled the case and agreed to not pursue the matter any further.
More than a dozen other documents tendered
The dossier and more than a dozen other documents have been tendered as part of a court case brought against high-profile silk Sue Chrysanthou, SC by a friend of the woman, Jo Dyer.
Ms Dyer
claimed Ms Chrysanthou, Mr Porter's barrister, had a conflict of
interest and should be removed from the now-settled defamation case
against the ABC.
The documents were publicly released by the Federal Court on Thursday, coinciding with the first anniversary of the woman's death.
Other documents released include a transcript of an ABC interview with Ms Dyer, where she explained why she believed the allegations brought forward by her friend.
Last month, Justice Thomas Thawley ruled Mr Porter's barrister should be barred from representing him after she earlier advised Ms Dyer.
But the battle is not over.
Next month, the defamation matter will be heard by the court, which will decide whether suppressions on the ABC’s defence material should be maintained.
Mr Porter wants the material permanently removed from the Federal Court file, but media groups will ask the court to lift the suppressions.
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