Morning mail: allegation rocks NSW parliament, cabinet reshuffle, Dark Mofo backlash

Thursday: NSW Nationals MP Michael Johnsen takes leave after parliament hears allegation sex worker raped. Plus: how a megaship blocked the Suez canal

Good morning. The sexual misconduct crisis engulfing Canberra shows no sign of abating as the prime minister ponders cabinet changes, a NSW state government member faces sexual assault allegations, and the US vice-president makes an impassioned plea to stop gun crimes.

The NSW Nationals MP Michael Johnsen has taken leave effective immediately" amid allegations he sexually assaulted a sex worker. The Nationals member for Upper Hunter categorically denied the claim, saying he was an innocent party" and that he was devastated by these allegations". An allegation of rape was aired in state parliament on Wednesday by the Labor MP Trish Doyle, who did not name the MP but said the alleged assault took place at a secluded lockout" in the Blue Mountains in September 2019.