Christian Porter has resigned from cabinet over revelations he accepted money from a blind trust to pay for his lawsuit against the ABC.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed Mr Porter stood down as Minister for Industry, Science and Technology and would return to the backbench.
The former attorney general tendered his resignation on Sunday afternoon because he couldn’t give enough information about who the anonymous donor was to avoid perceptions of a conflict of interest.
The Prime Minister said their discussions were about upholding standards as he thanked Mr Porter for his services as minister.
Mr Porter has since released 1600-word statement on his resignation, claiming he was subject to a ‘trial by media.’
He also indicated his plans to remain in politics and has nominated for preselection to be the Liberal candidate for his seat at the next election.
‘In relation to Minister Porter over the course of the last few days, and in the discussions that we have had, the inability for him to be able to practically provide further information because of the nature of those arrangements, if we were able to do that, that would allow the Minister to conclusively rule out a perceived conflict, and as a result of him acknowledging that, he has taken the appropriate course of action to uphold those standards by tendering his resignation as a minister this afternoon, and I have accepted his resignation,’ Mr Morrison told reporters on Sunday.
‘His actions have been about upholding the standards.’
‘We believe they are incredibly important, and it is not just about actual conflicts, it’s about the standards for ministers to have an obligation to avoid any perception of conflicts of interest that is ultimately what has led the Minister to make that decision this afternoon.
‘Mr Porter, by taking the decision he has done today, that is the appropriate decision in these circumstances, that reinforces our government’s commitment to those standards.’
Mr Porter released a lengthy 1600-word statement a short time later, stating he was ‘not willing to put pressure on the Trust to provide me with any further information’ on donors, claiming it would make them ‘targets of the social media mob’.
Christian Porter (pictured with wife Jennifer before they separated) has vowed to recontest his seat
Mr Porter sued the ABC over a story that revealed a senior cabinet minister was accused of raping a teenage girl.
Mr Porter outed himself as the minister days later in February and vehemently denied the allegations that dated back to 1988 when he was 17.
The woman in 2019 came forward to police and accused Mr Porter of raping her when she was 16.
However, she chose not to go forward with the case and took her own life days after informing police of her decision.
The case was closed in March 2021 when police found there was not enough evidence to proceed.
Mr Porter…
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