Australia’s Prime Minister Demotes Lawmakers as Fallout From Scandals Deepens

SYDNEY—Australian Primary Minister Scott Morrison demoted two senior lawmakers as he experimented with to consist of the political fallout from scandals that served to convey tens of countless numbers of gals out to protest the government’s dealing with of sexual-assault allegations.

Mr. Morrison said he would improve the number of gals in his leadership crew and would direct a task force with foreign minister Marise Payne to condition coverage on women’s issues, together with security and equality.

The new 23-member cupboard will consist of 7 gals, up from six gals in the previous 22-individual leadership crew. Mr. Morrison also committed to promoting additional gals to other federal government roles.

Christian Porter will be eradicated from his placement as attorney standard, while Linda Reynolds will be eradicated as defense minister, Mr. Morrison said in a push convention. Both will stay in the cupboard, in lesser roles. The improvements comply with a disaster within the federal government that has cast a highlight on the country’s politics and dealing with of harassment and sexual-assault problems.

Mr. Porter is accused of committing rape 33 several years in the past, an allegation that he denies. Mr. Porter has said he was 17 in 1988 when the rape is alleged to have taken area, and only briefly knew the complainant. He said she was 16 at the time. The allegation was noted in February by the Australian Broadcasting Company, or ABC, without naming Mr. Porter, prior to the attorney standard discovered himself as the accused.