Federal parliament is heading for a rowdy couple of weeks with issues over alleged sexual assaults both recent and historic still far from resolved, and key ministers away on sick leave.
The government’s industrial relations bill may be at an impasse with Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter on mental health leave and crucial Senate crossbenchers yet to be briefed.
Still business groups are urging senators to back the bill, saying there is no valid reason for it to be delayed.
In a joint statement that includes the Australian Industry Group, the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, they say the reforms would deliver the certainty needed urgently to boost confidence.
“A failure to vote on the bill will increase uncertainty and stifle business confidence at the worst possible time – just before the JobKeeper scheme ends and as businesses are making critically important decisions on whether to retain staff,” they say.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds remains on sick leave, having been absent since revelations a former Liberal staffer was allegedly raped in her office by a colleague in 2019.
Mr Porter, who is also the attorney-general, took sick leave after strenuously denying an allegation he raped a woman when they were both teenagers.
NSW police are not pursuing the case after the woman said she did not want to proceed, before taking her own life last year.
James Hooke, a former boy friend of the woman, has now come forward saying he had relevant discussions with the alleged victim in 1988 and with Mr Porter in following years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly said he won’t order an inquiry as the police have closed the case.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack agrees, saying while this a very tragic situation, the rule of law applies to Mr Porter like everyone else.
“If the police have closed the case … politicians aren’t the arbiters of law. That’s the job of police,” he told ABC’s Insider program on Sunday.
But Labor isn’t about to let the matter drop.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese said it is a difficult situation but one that has to be dealt with.
“The idea that these issues can be unseen and unheard, and in Scott Morrison’s words, we can just all move along, is not happening and it won’t happen,” he told Sky News’ Sunday Agenda program.
