He had not raped the woman who accused him.
He had not had a sexual encounter with her,nor a relationship.
“I have been subject to the most wild,intense and unrestrained series of accusations I can remember,in modern Australian politics” he said,with some bitterness. “Maybe that’s the new normal;I hope for everyone’s sake,it’s not.”
If he were to resign as Attorney-General,he said,it would set a dangerous precedent.
“Every child we raise can have their lives destroyed by online reporting of accusations alone.”
But he would take a leave of absence to care for his mental health. It was obvious watching the press conference that he was distressed and stressed.
When pressed on the detail of his friendship with his accuser,Mr Porter said he remembered her as a bright and happy person.
He thought they might have gone out dancing in Sydney,as she alleged in the unsworn,informal statement she made detailing her allegations.
In the statement,the woman said she ironed a shirt for Mr Porter before a formal dinner on the night of his alleged attack on her.
According to the woman’s statement,he told her she “would make someone a wonderful wife one day”.
This had jogged a memory,he said.
“I did read that as part of the material,and I recall,it sparked a memory,there were four of us,three boys ... I don’t think any of us had ever ironed a shirt,and I recall,she showed us how to do it,I remember that,” he told reporters.
Had he commented about her making a good wife?
“I don’t remember that specifically,but it is not impossible that that was said.”
Reaction online was swift and on Twitter,at least,seemed negatively skewed against the Attorney-General. Many female commentators tweeted they were watching the press conference with their hearts in their mouths. For them it was more personal.
Those making a judgment on the allegations have to decide between the sincere denials of the Attorney-General,and the allegations made by a woman who is now dead.
An independent inquiry has been called for but no trial can take place.
But that doesn’t mean people watching this extraordinary,historic press conference didn’t make up their own minds one way or the other.
National Sexual Assault,Family&Domestic Violence Counselling Line:1800 737 732. Crisis support can be found at Lifeline:(13 11 14 andlifeline.org.au),the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467 andsuicidecallbackservice.org.au) and beyondblue (1300 22 4636 andbeyondblue.org.au).
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