The coronial investigation into the death of former attorney general Christian Porter’s accuser has concluded, with the South Australian coroner deciding against holding a full inquest.
In a statement on Thursday, state coroner David Whittle announced that he had “entered a finding as to the cause of Kate’s death” but decided against an inquest “in accordance with the wishes of Kate’s family”.
The decision closes off what was considered the last possible avenue of inquiry for allegations made by Kate that Porter sexually assaulted her in January 1988 when she was 16 and he was 17. Porter strenuously denies the allegation.
On Thursday, Whittle said that “since February 2021 there has been extensive media coverage of the death in 2020 of a woman referred to in the media as ‘Kate’ and allegations made by her of historical sexual assault”.
“An exhaustive coronial investigation has now been completed. I have entered a finding as to the cause of Kate’s death and determined that an inquest will not be held.
“This is in accordance with the wishes of Kate’s family, who have requested that their privacy be respected.”
Whittle noted he was “bound by confidentiality obligations and no further information will be released”.
In February 2021 the ABC reported that an unnamed federal minister had been the subject of a sexual assault complaint from a deceased woman in a letter sent to then prime minister Scott Morrison.
Porter’s accuser, Kate, had reported the alleged rape to New South Wales police but withdrew from the investigation and took her own life in June 2020, without police having taken a witness statement from her.
In March 2021 Porter identified himself as the minister who was the subject of the complaint, but denied raping or having any sexual relationship with Kate.
Morrison refused to establish an independent inquiry into the allegation, declaring Porter was “an innocent man under our law”.
Porter sued the the ABC and its journalist Louise Milligan for defamation over the article. In May 2021 Porter dropped the case, despite the ABC refusing to apologise or retract the article.
The ABC agreed to add an editor’s note on its story saying it “regretted” that some readers had “misinterpreted” the article “as an accusation of guilt against Mr Porter”.
In December 2021 Porter announced he would quit politics at the next election, decrying the “harshness” that comes with elected office. He said there “appears to be no limit to what some will say or allege or do to gain an advantage over a perceived enemy”.
NSW police had said there was “insufficient admissible evidence” to continue their investigation into the allegation after Kate withdrew.
The South Australian coroner directed police in that state to conduct further investigations as part of the coronial investigation, which is now closed.
In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. International helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.
