Surprise surprise….
The decision by the federal government to block a controversial bill that could have introduced an inquiry into Christian Porter’s fitness to remain a cabinet minister has been criticised as “protection racket for the boys club” and an “absolute outrage”.
Earlier this month and in response to a petition signed by 90,000 people to launch an inquiry into whether Christian Porter is a fit and proper person to remain in cabinet, Greens’ senator Larissa Waters indicated she would introduce the bill to kickstart an independent inquiry into historic rape claims against the former attorney-general.
Calls for the inquiry were renewed following the conclusion of both his defamation proceedings against the ABC and proceedings brought against his barrister Sue Chrysanthou. Mr Porter has denied the allegations and told reporters after the ABC mediation that “the things that were alleged to have happened just didn’t happen”.
After Ms Waters’ proposed bill was sensationally blocked a second time in the Senate chamber late last week – once with the support of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party – she accused the government of “thriving on secrecy” to protect the boys club that continues to exist in Parliament, adding “we all knew this, but this is a new low”.
