In response to the news article and the broadcasting of the issue last night, I sent the Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Senator Penny WONG, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Sarah Hanson Young, Australia Greens, and also to the Commissioner of Police for the AFP the following correspondence: 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Senator Penny Wong, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Sarah Hanson Young, Australia Greens, the Commissioner of Police for the AFP it is gratifying to see the swift response from you,  Senators Wong and Hanson Young in regards to the alleged historical rape of a female by a current Federal Government cabinet minister. 

Upon receipt of the correspondence, you, Senator Wong have immediately forwarded the letter to the NSW, SA Police and the AFP in the hope that appropriate action is taken to examine the allegation. 

Senator Hanson Young you are quoted as saying that you have received information of a disturbing and very serious allegation of a criminal nature against a senior member of Government. As the AFP Commissioner outlined in advice to all Parliamentarians on 25 February 2021 re-reporting to Police is the way to ensure any alleged crimes are properly investigated. 

Kathy Sheriff made the allegations in 2014, claiming she was raped by Mr Shorten at a conference in 1986 when she was 16-years-old.Kathy did not make accusations to the police until some years after the offence had occurred. When she did report it, she didn’t have contact with those she had confided in at the time. 

It was a “he said, she said,” situation which would never have convinced a jury beyond reasonable doubt. 

Apparently however, things have changed. For one thing, Kathy believes that she has tracked down some of the people who were there with her that weekend. 

According to Kathy the police told her that “if new witnesses were located or other evidence was found, then they would look at reopening my case.” 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Senator Penny Wong, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Sarah Hanson Young, Australia Greens, the Commissioner of Police for the AFP  as you are aware, William Richard Shorten (born 12 May 1967) is an Australian politician who served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labor Party from 2013 to 2019. Shorten was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Maribyrnong in 2007, and was a Cabinet Minister in the Gillard and Rudd Governments from 2010 to 2013. 

That means at the time of the rape allegation being made, Shorten was a serving member of the Australian Federal Government, in Opposition and still continues to serve this day. 

Now that you have reacted so swiftly to the allegation of rape by a now Senior Government Minister,  one is assuming that you will ensure that the allegation made by Ms Sherriff will be followed up immediately and that the AFP will now oversee and enhance the dismal investigation undertaken by Victoria Police. 

I look forward to your responses. 

David McAlpine

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[email protected] National Operations State Service Centre (NOSSC)