Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been sent an anonymous letter alerting him to a 33-year-old allegation of rape against one of his Cabinet ministers.
The woman who made the allegation told the NSW police last year but then killed herself before making a formal statement.
There are now calls for the minister to be stood down while Mr Morrison conducts an investigation. The minister has denied the allegations.
But the police suspended their investigation because with the complainant now dead it is highly unlikely they will be able to make a case and prove it beyond reasonable doubt.
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese today said it was up to the Prime Minister to decide if the Minister should be stood down while the allegations were investigated.
"This is a real test, and the Prime Minister must confirm to himself that it remains the case that the Minister, who is the subject of these allegations, that it's appropriate for him to stay in his current position," Mr Albanese told ABC.
However, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham yesterday said any allegation should be left to theAustralian Federal Police.
"As per the AFP Commissioner's instruction, any complaints or allegations of this nature made to anybody — whether they're parliamentarians or journalists — should be referred to the AFP," Mr Birmingham said.
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