Blame game on secret Higgins report

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Confirmation that a secret report on who knew about the Brittany Higgins allegation was never completed has several MPs singled out.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher is adamant she did not mislead the Senate after she denied knowing about a sexual assault allegation made by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins before she not be made public. I did not mislead the Senate, Ms. Gallagher said in remarks on Tuesday. I received information in the days leading up to the first report of the allegations, and I did nothing with that information. I take my responsibilities as an ACT Senator seriously and act with integrity at all times.

The inquiry was commissioned by Mr Morrison in the days following the former Liberal staffer’s public statement that she had been sexually assaulted in Parliament. It was to be undertaken by Phil Gaetjens, then head of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Department (PM&C).

But the investigation was halted before it could be completed in August 2021 due to an ongoing criminal trial. It is understood that it will never be completed unless the department is ordered to resume the investigation.

In recent days, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his frontbench have used the never-released report to deflect questions about allegations that Labor sought to weaponize the allegation while in opposition.

Anthony Albanese used the never released report to defend his bench. Photo: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Speaking to ABC Radio, MP Jenny McAllister said the questions should be put to members of the former government.

“These were matters for the former government. As you know, the Gaetjens review was commissioned by Mr Morrison and the findings of that review were never published,” she said.

“I think it is appropriate that the former government respond to questions about how this review was conducted and why its findings were never released.”

Asked about the current status of the review, Senator McAllister said the government would not dust off the shelved investigation.

“I think we consider that we pursued these issues in the forums that were available to us as the opposition, including during question time,” she said.

Liberal Senator Jane Hume, who was a minister in the previous government, said the report did not exist.

“The report that Labor is talking about has been stopped. There is no report because there is an ongoing criminal investigation,” she told Seven.

Phil Gaetjens’ report was set aside. Image: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Scott Morrison commissioned the report. Photo: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

In 2021, Mr Morrison ordered Mr Gaetjens to carry out an investigation within days of Ms Higgins being published and filing a police complaint.

After Bruce Lehrmann was charged, the investigation was halted, with Mr Gaetjens citing fears it “could harm the criminal process”.

After the 2022 election, Mr Gaetjens was dumped by the Labor Party as PM&C secretary.

Mr. Lehrmann’s trial was dismissed due to jury misconduct. In December, the charges were dropped and a new trial did not take place due to concerns about Ms Higgins’ mental health.

Mr. Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault. He has continually denied the allegation and no findings have been made against him.

PM&C has not been ordered to resume the investigation once the criminal proceedings are over.

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