Australian defence minister takes medical leave as questions persist over handling of rape allegations

Australia’s minister for defence, Linda Reynolds, will take a period of medical leave, her office announced Wednesday (24 February), as questions swirled over her handling of a claim by a former staffer that the staffer was raped in the minister’s office. The decision to take leave “follows advice from her cardiologist relating to a pre-existing medical condition” and the minister’s office said Reynolds had been admitted to a Canberra hospital. Prime Minister Scott Morrison phoned Reynolds to express his concern and sympathy, and to wish her a quick recovery. While Reynolds is on leave, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne will be acting defence minister. Reynolds was scheduled to give a speech Wednesday to the National Press Club in Australia where she was expected to face a grilling from journalists over allegations made by a former staffer, Brittany Higgins, who said a former colleague raped her in the minister’s office. Higgins is expected to give a formal statement to police on Wednesday to reactivate an investigation. She has alleged the man raped her in Senator Reynolds’ office after security guards let the pair into the building late on 22 March 2019, according to Australian media reports. Reynolds has given conflicting accounts of meetings with police relating to the case and has faced repeated questions in Parliament from Labour and the Greens about what she knew and when, and who else she told about the allegations. Last week, a number of Liberal MPs questioned the minister’s handling of the rape claim. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]