The Federal Treasurer says a Cabinet Minister named in an anonymous letter alleging the rape of a woman in the 1980s is entitled to the presumption of innocence.A Cabinet Minister was named in an anonymous letter alleging the rape of a woman in the 1980sPoliticians have said the matter is now being handled by the AFP
Mr Frydenberg pointed to a letter from the AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw to Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week,"We've seen a letter from the head of the Australian Federal Police and that letter to the Prime Minister and subsequently made available to the Parliament again re-emphasises the need for these matters to be in the hands of authorities," Mr Frydenberg said.
"But from a political and ethical perspective, the allegation is there and can't be ignored so it has to be resolved in some form."
There's that wonderful Liberal word again; Entitled.
Because he's a Liberal. If he was in Labor they'd be rolling in to parliament with pitchfork and torches.
A presumption of innocence! Not a snowballs chance in hell. It seems as far as advocates are concerned he will be either 'found guilty' or considered to have 'gotten away with it'. No other outcome will ever be contemplated.
The prime ministers job is not to investigate crimes. He is not qualified to do so, neither are his ministers. It is the job of the police and it is right for the police to do their own work. We cannot simply believe in any allegations because anyone can say anything. Evidence!
Yes that is the essence of the law and this should apply to everyone in Australia.
Convenient time to remember that. How about the presumption of innocence for Indigenous, RoboDebt, HomeToBilo, Journos, TradeUnions, AsylumSeekers, Unemployed, Jobseekers, WelfareRecipients.
They are all circling the wagons. Election is coming.
That’s fine, but STAND ASIDE DURING THE INVESTIGATION!!!!
Keep the pressure on this is an opportunity for change
What he means is, 'the cabinet minister is entitled'
Every church minister accused of sexual assault also had the presumption of innocence. But they were stood down. Why is it different for a cabinet minister? Sorry.... the ripe stench of death from the Morrison Govt is growing by the day.
Was Christine Holgate entitled to a presumption of innocence? Fucking hypocrisy of this Gov. They must think we are all that daft.
By the end of the week only one male MP won’t have publicly said this. And we are all going to be SHOCKED when we see who the last man standing is.
Yes, and he is 100% correct.
Did you give Ben Roberts Smith that presumption? and the rest of the Army. Funny how it works differently for some?
And he’d be right. Lose sight of this and the law is no more. If guilty due to allegations, opinion & commentary, all is lost. It’s not about how it looks, it’s what is legitimately proven. I challenge anyone who would give up their presumption of innocence.
That’s not the ABC way when it comes to the Liberal Party; deny all rights
The big test is ? Would you leave him alone with your teenage daughter ? We will never know,but you do . What you blokes will do for a power trip ! Wake up your job isn’t worth it .
ro👏🏻bo👏🏻debt👏🏻? wel👏🏻fare👏🏻card👏🏻? ref👏🏻u👏🏻gees👏🏻?
CabinetRapist
Hah!
It's Game Over buddy - it's the end for the coalition - you've fucked up Australia in a way that no one with half a brain would have thought possible. It started with mining - as you raped the Earth th Earth raped you. The EARTH is CONSCIOUS and is not a dead thing!!;
It is an alleged rape of a child - and she committed suicide. If the man / minister in guilty then it means the LNP government is allowing a criminal be part of Government - and, it would seem, to have one of the most important legal positions in Australia! auspol
White-Conservative-Men - always a presumption of innocence for themselves and bit FU for everyone else.
Of course he would, how do we know it wasn’t him or one of his mates ?
Absolutely. In the meantime he should do the right thing and stand down until the investigation is complete.
Gee these trials by media Arte becoming a joke. Now an old letter appears and that is enough to incriminate someone. Criminal matters have to be presented to the police and kept out of the media. We are as bad as the Asian Countries that are a media circus.
‘Presumption of innocence’ isn’t the ‘protection of anonymity’ though is it? And it’s not a ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ issue either as it isn’t going to Court. A Cabinet Minister, particularly the AG, must be demonstrably free of even the stain of material impropriety. He’s not.
Pretty sure there are many individuals in many industries that have been asked (or by policy forced) to stand aside (take “extended leave” etc...) pending an investigation. If he was a school teacher or NRL player for example.
The treasurer’s opinion is irrelevant. What is AttorneyGeneral cporterwa’s opinion?
In a court of law, yes. So let's have an investigation and see whether there are grounds for charges to be laid. Perhaps, stand down the accused while the investigation takes place, as is common practice.
Does that mean JoshFrydenberg will be making amends for the thousands of Australians presumed guilty under the robodebt scheme that drove people to suicide? Or does he only mean for his rapist friends?
That perpetrator is a particularly vicious male because that type of sex was totally against social norms then. I think other victims may come forward when we know his identity. We must all fight for justice for his innocent victim whose life he destroyed.
Just like George Pell. Bless.
That shouldn't need to be said or go after billshortenmp
In meantime, every female working for a male cabinet minister is fearfully wondering if the boss is the predator.
A basic foundation of our justice system ... innocent until found guilty.
He is also entitled to deny the allegations publicly Like Bill Shorten did The anonymity makes everyone who knows his name look bad
Depends on your income usually And skin color usually
gavmorris yep, sure presumption of innocence sure But the victim,the dead victim who committed suicide,what about her? He needs to stand aside until a thorough investigation can be completed They catch murderers decades later through good investigative work This is no different
Robodebt recipients were presumed guilty and had to prove their innocents, why is it different for ministers.
Yes but should stand down until proven innocent
Please hear our voice, it is a long time no offshore applicant is invited. We tried hard to collect our points according to Aus. Immigration plan. start_invitation_rounds_for_offshore_skilled_engineers_189_190_491 AlexHawkeMP ScottMorrisonMP 7newsAustralia dlpaustralia
The alleged rapist absolutely denies it. Case closed. Everyone go home. Thanks, ScuMo
What he says is true, of course. But that isn’t to say that the minister should not be stood down until a thorough, independent investigation can be conducted. This is particularly the case because the accused is “allegedly” the highest lawyer in the country.
he was talking like a guilty treasurer or not
He is 100% correct, but all the Leftists want him hung without a trial, the authoritarian nut jobs.
Only after an allegation is made, investigated and the DPP believes that they can establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and secures a conviction do you lose the pessumption of innocence. Oh that is unless you're its a sex thing and then even a bad date will destroy you.
so many coverups. Scomo cover this up? because the minister is from LNP?
But not anonymity
Police get stood down during investigations. NRL players get stood down during investigations. Why not ScottMorrisonMP boys?
The law states in Australia someone is innocent until proven guilty. This is the law. This is not CCP we don't condemn Australians because we feel like it. This is a democratic society and as it stands there is no proof of guilt or innocense yet investigations are still under way
But surely you would investigation to test that presumption. An independent investigation. And not allow that Minister to remain until the allegations have been determined.
every day the general public are named, shamed, photographed or filmed on their ways to and from courts before they have been found guilty. If only MPs had to abide by the same rules of life.
tell that to everyone who got a robodebt letter, or even Christine Holgate.
Luckily he's not a footy player! (presumption of innocence legally, for sure, for an organisation it tarnishes the whole organisation, so currently there are many ministers under a cloud, meanwhile political rivals make hay, not smart)
Alright JoshFrydenberg , ask old mate to come out and deny that they didn't rape a minor.
How are we supposed to verify a claim made by anonymous? Take a stab in the dark?
Well if he says he’s innocent why can’t we know who it is.....?
Presumption of innocence applies only to their legal status. It has no relevance in whether they are named publicly and whether they have support of the people and the parliament. They must be named and removed from the ministry or they bring the entire government into disrepute.
Fully agree with him. Journalists are nothing but vigilantes. Disgraceful. Maybe one of them may be accused next. What then?
presumption of innocence. the woman killed herself. it is unlikely the rapist will be convicted. we all know who it was, so stand him down. get rid of the pig.
If it were anyone else they'd be long gone. Entitled pricks. Name him .
“Entitled”, that’s all that needs to be said by these “people” who flaunt it day in and day out! What was the victim entitled to...I would think JUSTICE to be served and it’s not coming from this “entitled” bunch.
But people persecuted by Robodebt were not?
But not anonymity
What is the problem with that...and what about Pell? & your media conviction...
Pfft the boy’s club/ Canberra Bubble would say that 🙄
Was this the presumption when Australia Post was in the Spotlight with luxury watches or was somebody presumed Guilty ?
I thought presumption of innocence only came into play after charges had been laid? I'm probably splitting hairs, just curious as to the legal standing of the phrase.
Too late, social media has already found him guilty. There's no need for any further investigation. He should be forced to resign
Yawn.
So many creeps in LNP
It is also necessary to weigh up the evidence and testimonies to see if they would, under normal circumstances, be enough to take it to court.
Surely he should be on “gardening leave” until there has been an enquiry?!
Did Peter Slipper and Craig Thompson get the presumption of innocence. when Labor had a wafer thin majority? They abused cab charges and credit cards. Asking for a Liberal hypocrite CabinetRapist ScottyFromCoverUps auspol
Absolutley and the allegations are of such a serious nature the AG should step down for the duration of the investigation.
The whole party is guilty and all need to be stood down until a outside investigation is conducted and if any are found guilty be stripped of all titles and benefits as well as there superannuation and blackballed
So in the 4 months it was an 'active' investigation by NSW police, what did they actually do?
Like George has been;
What does christianporter think?
To be honest the more information I keep hearing the more disgusted I am.
Yes, he is, now when will we hear about the court case, or will that be hidden too.
The women’s names a strewn about with no thought to feelings, but not one of the men’s names are mentioned
I’ve had a gut full of the whole ‘swinging dicks’ mentality of the LNP, and as far as I’m concerned they’re all guilty until the rapist outs himself. The likelihood of this bunch of nest featherers getting my vote at the next, or any subsequent election, is ZERO !!
Unlike robodebt victims, Christine Holgate, Peter Slipper and Sam Dastyari I guess? Presumption of innocence doesn't mean that the alleged offender can't be named - this is complete BS from Josh & co who are using the line to try & sweep it under the carpet. auspol
Ffs Bill Shorten was cleared twice and they are still trying to prove he wasn’t innocent, such hypocrites 😕
So it's not a thing that a minister stands aside during an investigation?
Josh is this bloke was decent at all he would have stood down today until matter cleared.
Maybe so but he should still stand down while he is under investigation.
But apparently that wasn't the case with RoboDebt...
Just like robodebt ?
Is he entitled to anonymity though?
Hey JoshFrydenberg and ScottMorrisonMP Did you forget Christine Holgate and RoboDebt victims
Should change the Headline to Treasurer repeats talking points which are shite!
Unlike Christine Holgate or robodebt victims...
Of cause. It's a boys club with their rules. Let's hide behind that . Mod of mongrels.
Yes, but should be stood down while police investigate that’s the honourable thing to do!
The height of hypocrisy and duplicity. Only when it suits JoshFrydenberg. I've had a gutful of this treacherous and malfeasant government - time they were booted out.
Only when it’s someone on your side of the chamber JoshFrydenberg Hypocrisy is th LNP way
JoshFrydenberg 4 Cartier watches or th anal rape of a 16 yr old girl by a member of your cabinet Which one was ScottMorrisonMP more outraged with Acted like a twatt But rape allegations stays out of th camera lens let’s others take th questions Th captain has gone missing again
where was the presumption of innocence when robodebt was rolled out terribly sorry your government is not entitled to any presumption of innocence as you set the standard you must abide by you must be subject to the rules you impose upon others
Yes he is but we the voters are also entitled to know who he is.
While they rule they will always be innocent though. No trust. 4 corners exposed sexual harassment, Brittney Higgins exposed a rape in parliament house, Kelly's office manager was exposed as fondling 16 year olds. Now historial rape claims and a suicde. Yet no charges. Nothing
Of course. But as an accused, they're not entitled to anonymity. Since when were the names of accused been kept secret?
Treasurer JoshFrydenberg is missing the point. Until this cabinet minister is outed you are all guilty by association. I would not want that if I was in cabinet and innocent ScottMorrisonMP PaulBongiorno
And it’s what we would all hope we would get ! Including a fair trial within a legal court of Australia !
Unless you are poor or female or...not a member of the cabinet...
The Morrison government is pathetic. Scotty from marketing I’d pathetic.
Yes. However, stepping down is another matter.
Presumption of innocence =\\= entitled to anonymity.
Sure is, just as jackdebelin Is, I'm not commenting on that case, and given the victim suicided, somewhat different, but her statement was made before a lawyer. My Member is male from Labor, but what will this individuals electorate feel if this is left to be ignored.
Well that’s no fun. I don’t think so.
It’s Australia, everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, aren’t they?
Oz = envy of world because rule of law applies to everyone irrespective of rank/station. Making resolution of grave criminal allegations a 'political matter' is stuff of banana republics and totalitarian states. We cannot go down any such path.
JoshFrydenberg Like Christine Holgate? 4 Cartier watches vs a pretty vicious rape which has lead to a suicide... Step aside until proven innocent. The victim deserves this, our parliament deserves this and the voting public, the people that pay your salary, deserve this
Only when it suits. Along with the outrage displayed re the purchase if Cartier watches, but not for the rape of a child?
Absolutely - but not anonymity. Big difference
Why is the whole party guilty then? So many crimes, and just as many cover-ups. Not one of them is in the clear.
lets compare the destruction of Willy Riolis 'puffed on a joint at a party' damaged football career, by the media and the authorities, with that of a minister of Australias government who has perpetrated a sexual ASSAULT! Crickets....
one rule for Lab and one for Lib eh Joshy boy?
On the other hand we the taxpayers are paying for this alleged rapist, and don’t want him in the government’s cabinet. auspol CabinetRapist
Presumption of innocence has nothing to do with him standing down until an investigation can be completed.
He's not entitled to anonymity though, particularly as this matter will never see an impaneled jury!
We’ve all whittled the list down to a couple of probable suspects anyway
Of course. Mates look after mates.
Protection racket
Like Holgate was?
Entitled to the presumption of innocence? Just like... welfare recipients?
is it him