Christian Porter’s defamation suit is no substitute for an independent inquiry

The 'trial of the century' will give the attorney-general a chance to seek revenge for perceived wrongs. It will not do the same for Kate.

Michael Bradley

Mar 24, 2021

Christian Porter and Kate, the alleged victim, at a formal debate team dinner, Sydney University, January 1988 (Image: provided)

Note: this piece discusses sexual assault and suicide

In case we were too thick to get the point, Attorney-General Christian Porter’s lawyer made it clear: with the filing of his defamation suit against the ABC the “trial by media” should now end.

Unstated but equally signalled: so should the calls for an independent inquiry into the allegation of rape against Porter.

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About the Author

Michael Bradley

Crikey columnist @marquelawyers

Michael Bradley is a freelance writer and managing partner at Sydney firm Marque Lawyers, which was created in 2008 with the singular ambition of completely changing the way law is practised.