Australian Federal politics recap: Probe into toxic Parliament culture to be revealed

The Federal Government today announced an investigation into the workplace culture and safety of staff in Parliament House.

The announcement comes almost three weeks after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins made public her alleged rape in the office of Defence Minister Linda Reynolds.

The allegations sent shock waves through Parliament, before further revelations were made public a week ago that a cabinet minister had allegedly been involved in a rape when he was 17 and the alleged victim was 16.

Attorney-General Christian Porter this week outed himself as the person at the centre of those allegations but strenuously denies they occurred.

“It just didn’t happen,” he said at an emotional press conference on Wednesday.

• Kate Jenkins to lead Parliament culture review
• Reynolds ‘deeply sorry’ for calling Higgins ‘lying cow’
• Ministers under fire amid dark days for Canberra
• Treasurer insists Porter rape claim closed

To recap today’s developments, read the blog below.