After a series of scandals and falling popularity ratings, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison reshuffled his cabinet. Peter Dutton replaces Secretary of Defense Linda Reynolds, as it became known today.
The previous Minister of Justice, Christian Porter, also has to go; Michaelia Cash takes over his position. The two replaced ministers had raised criticism with statements and fueled the simmering debate about bullying and sexual discrimination.
Allegations rejected
Reynolds had called Brittany Higgins, a former Liberal Party official, a „lying cow“ when she said she was raped by a male colleague in parliament in 2019. Later she put her words into perspective.
Porter filed a defamation lawsuit against Australian broadcaster ABC after it reported a rape in 1988. Although Porter was not named, he vehemently denied the allegations. The incident raised questions about Porter’s suitability for the office of Attorney General.
Reynolds and Porter are currently on sick leave and will take on less prominent roles in the cabinet when they return. Prime Minister Morrison had come under increasing pressure to deal with these incidents. According to a survey by the newspaper “The Australian”, its popularity ratings fell within two weeks from 62 to 55 percent.
