PM dodges question over Peter Dutton describing Brittany Higgins rape allegation as 'she said, he said'

Scott Morrison says alleged sexual assaults are serious and traumatic events for anyone to deal with'

Scott Morrison has stepped around a question about whether he agrees with Peter Dutton's characterisation of Brittany Higgins' rape allegation as she said, he said" as the home affairs minister defended his decision not to alert the prime minister to the potential reopening of the police investigation.

Dutton's office earlier this week declined to answer questions from Guardian Australia and other media outlets about his contact with police but the home affairs minister finally confirmed on Wednesday the AFP told him about the allegation of sexual assault on 11 February.