New South Wales Police say their investigation into a historical rape allegation against a federal Cabinet Minister is now closed.
Photo: AFP
An anonymous letter, sent to several members of Parliament, alleged a woman was raped when she was a teenager in 1988 by a man who is now a minister in the federal government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the minister "absolutely rejects" the allegation.
In a statement, NSW Police said the woman contacted officers in 2019 but she did not detail her allegation in a formal statement before taking her own life last year.
Police said they sought legal advice after receiving a document "purportedly made by the woman" before she died.
However, they said there was "insufficient admissible evidence" to proceed with an investigation, and that the matter was now closed.
Earlier, Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw said his counterpart in New South Wales was seeking legal advice about the allegation.
Politicians who received the letter last week, including Morrison and Labor's leader in the Senate Penny Wong, referred the allegation to the AFP.
However the AFP said it did not have jurisdiction over the matter.
The NSW Police investigation was suspended after the woman took her life in June last year.
Separately, police in South Australia are preparing a report into her death for the coroner.
Before the NSW Police announcement, Commissioner Kershaw was asked on Nine Radio about the challenges police would face, given the woman had died.
"It's very problematic and it's something the New South Wales Commissioner has talked to me about, about him seeking further legal advice in relation to that matter," he said.
"And that's something that myself and the South Australian Police Commissioner will be discussing.
"Just to clarify ... the AFP's role is to liaise and support and provide whatever advice those jurisdictions need in this matter."
- ABC