Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media in Sydney, Monday, March 1, 2021.
(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday stood by an unidentified Cabinet minister against calls for him to step down over an allegation he raped a 16-year-old girl more than 30 years ago.
The allegation was contained in an anonymous letter sent to the prime minister’s office and to three female lawmakers last week.
The letter contained a statement from a complainant that detailed her allegation of a rape she said occurred in New South Wales state in 1988.
Hammond and opposition Labor Party Sen. Penny Wong also received anonymous letters about the 1988 rape allegation.