In Reynolds’ final Senate estimates, Gallagher defends her actions and declares ‘my conscience is clear’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLinda Reynolds used her final Senate estimates appearance to request an apology from Katy Gallagher for the personal “damage” inflicted by Labor’s scrutiny over what Reynolds knew about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.But Gallagher, the federal finance minister, defended her actions in scrutinising Reynolds and her office, saying “my conscience is clear”.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading…In Reynolds’ final Senate estimates, Gallagher defends her actions and declares ‘my conscience is clear’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLinda Reynolds used her final Senate estimates appearance to request an apology from Katy Gallagher for the personal “damage” inflicted by Labor’s scrutiny over what Reynolds knew about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.But Gallagher, the federal finance minister, defended her actions in scrutinising Reynolds and her office, saying “my conscience is clear”.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading…
Linda Reynolds used her final Senate estimates appearance to request an apology from Katy Gallagher for the personal “damage” inflicted by Labor’s scrutiny over what Reynolds knew about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.
But Gallagher, the federal finance minister, defended her actions in scrutinising Reynolds and her office, saying “my conscience is clear”.
“You were a minister,” Gallagher told the retiring Liberal senator during the Senate hearing on Tuesday. “You were accountable for what happened in your office, and we asked questions about an alleged sexual assault in this building.
“I would believe that other senators in a similar circumstance would ask exactly the same questions.”
Reynolds was the defence industry minister in 2019 when her staffer Higgins claimed colleague Bruce Lehrmann raped her inside Reynolds’ Parliament House office. Lehrmann has always denied the allegation.
Reynolds came under intense scrutiny in parliament after Higgins’ allegations became public in 2021. Gallagher was among those asking questions about what Reynolds knew about the incident, and how her office responded.
Reynolds was admitted to hospital amid the scrutiny, receiving treatment for a heart condition. In a civil defamation proceedings against Higgins last year, Reynolds and her supporters spoke of the emotional toll the events had taken on her.
In the Senate estimates hearing, Reynolds asked Gallagher whether she would apologise “not just to me, but to my staff and my family for all of the damage that has been wrought on them by you and by others in the Labor party”.
Gallagher, who appeared surprised by the request, said she had already addressed such questions in parliament over numerous debates.
“I am sorry that you have been hurt by all of this,” she replied. “But I’ve gone back and had a look at the questions I’ve asked. I believe the questions I asked, in my role – when you’re a minister and you’re accountable for what happened in your office – were reasonable.”
Reynolds then interjected: “So, that’s a no?”
Gallagher disputed the claim.
“No, that is not a no … You were a minister, you were accountable for what happened in your office,” she said.
“But did I seek to cause harm to you or anyone else? No. I asked questions that I think most people would expect would have been asked, with such serious allegations about what has happened in this building, and the changes that we have put in place since to make sure something like that doesn’t happen again.”
Reynolds stood up and left, again stating: “So, that’s a no.”
Gallagher shot back: “That’s your editorialising.”
The Liberal senator James McGrath then interjected, criticising Gallagher for not apologising to Reynolds’ staff, leading to a heated exchange.
“That’s very telling,” McGrath claimed.
“My conscience is clear,” Gallagher responded, saying the issue was about “an alleged rape that happened in this building”.