In some way it feels like there has been only one story this week — the rape allegations against a cabinet minister, as Crikey detailed on Monday, and the subsequent confirmation that those allegations concerned Attorney-General Christian Porter. Porter has vehemently denied any knowledge of the alleged rape (and Crikey is not making any allegations against him). But this accusation and the overall response branches off in all directions and touches on almost every element of Scott Morrison’s government.

There is, as Bernard Keane catalogues, the years of shredding Australia’s rule of law which the government now wishes to hide behind (along with, as Kishor Napier-Ramen notes, several other amorphous legal terms). There is the cosiness between the government and large sections of the media. Then there is Morrison himself, and his near pathological inability to take responsibility.

Elsewhere, the Royal Commission into aged care released its report this week. On this, Keane provided a precis on decades of government failure, and David Hardaker investigated the doctors gaming the system to promote antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes.

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

The prime minister can't lead, and he doesn't want to. That would entail losing the smirk. So ordinary Australians will continue to suffer.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN and BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

Does the attorney-general seriously suggest — and believe — that journalists shouldn't ask questions about serious allegations?

DAVID HARDAKER 4 minute read

One woman told Inq she had lived for years in the mistaken belief that her mother had schizophrenia.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 4 minute read

Christian Porter's easy road to the highest echelons of power show that if you walk and talk like a prime minister you can coast your way to the top.

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

The aged care royal commission expresses profound contempt for the failures of governments over 30 years.

GEORGIA WILKINS 3 minute read

Christian Porter's almost fanatical defence of people's reputations has been cast in new light.

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

The PM's 'smug silence' is no match for the likes of Samantha Maiden and Katharine Murphy.

BERNARD KEANE 2 minute read

It doesn't matter how stressed she was: after venting about Brittany Higgins, Linda Reynolds can't remain as a minister.

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

The ageing patriarch has had a new lease of corporate life, and it looks like none of the kids want his crown.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 3 minute read

In his first public appearance since leaving the White House, Donald Trump's trademark ramblings were lapped up by a remaining loyal few.

TORY SHEPHERD 3 minute read

Australia's anti-nuclear power argument is driven by emotion, while the pro-nuclear camp has its head in the clouds. How do we resolve the fisson?

GEORGIA WILKINS 4 minute read

Whether the allegations are true or not, can Christian Porter continue as Australia's attorney-general?