Fuming Anthony Albanese rages over Katy Gallagher text leak

has dismissed suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its prior knowledge — and planned political exploitation — of ‘ rape allegations, labelling it a ‘bizarre conspiracy theory’.The Prime Minister’s comments come as he defends Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who is accused of misleading parliament in 2021 when she denied being aware of the allegations before they were made public.Responding to a claim she knew about the incident for weeks and planned to use it for political gain, Senator Gallagher denied any misleading conduct and said she did not seek to weaponise the allegations. Anthony Albanese has dismissed as a ‘bizarre conspiracy theory’ suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its knowledge of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegationsQuestions were raised of the Finance Minister after leaked text messages between Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz emerged last week suggesting the pair contemplated strategising her story with Senator Gallagher, who was in opposition at that time.’It’s a bizarre conspiracy theory that suggests that Labor is somehow at the centre of all of this,’ he told ABC Radio.’And indeed, according to Senator (Linda) Reynolds herself, and the discussion that took place at that time on the Monday night, Katy Gallagher said, «yes, I was made aware in broad terms that there was an incident in the days beforehand».’So this has been known by Senator Reynolds since that time, since 2021, and now, in 2023, somehow this is this concocted issue by what is a desperate Liberal opposition.’As parliament resumes on Tuesday, Coalition senators are set to use Question Time to target Senator Gallagher over her knowledge of the allegations.Ms Higgins alleges she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019, a claim Mr Lehrmann has always denied.The trial of Mr Lehrmann was aborted over juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a retrial, citing concern for Ms Higgins’ mental health.The ACT is now holding an inquiry into the investigation and prosecution. Responding to a claim she knew about the incident for weeks to use it for political gain, Senator Gallagher said she did not seek to weaponise the allegationsMs Gallagher has ‘categorically’ denied she misled parliament following the release of the texts by  this week.During the June 2021 Senate Estimates hearing, then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds accused Labor senators of being secretly briefed on the Higgins rape allegation.’I was told by one of your senators two weeks before about what you were intending to do with the story in my office.

Two weeks before,’ She said.In response to the claim, Senator Gallagher said: ‘No-one had any knowledge’.That statement was seemingly at odds with the text messages from Mr Sharaz, and penipu she now says she had been made aware of ‘some allegations’ in the days leading up to Ms Higgins’ explosive interview in February 2021.’I’ve been clear, I’ve been honest and at all times I’ve been guided by the bravery and courage of a young woman who chose to speak up about her workplace and from that we have had massive changes to that workplace,’ she said on Saturday.'(I was told) There was going to be some public reporting that a young woman making serious allegations about events that occurred in a minister’s office … were going to become public.’I categorically rejected, and you see that in the footage of the committee, I categorically rejected the assertion she was putting, which was that we had chosen to weaponise that information weeks ahead of being told about this.’