Christian Porter takes leave as SA coroner calls investigation "incomplete."

Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter has taken sick leave after strongly denying a rape allegation dating back to when he was a teenager.

An emotional Mr Porter on Wednesday revealed himself to be the unnamed subject of media reports about the alleged sexual assault of a woman he knew briefly 33 years ago.

"It just didn't happen," Mr Porter told reporters in Perth. "Could I have forgotten or misconstrued the things that I have read, which are said to have occurred? Absolutely not."

Christian Porter tearfully fronted the media as he denied that he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in 1988. https://t.co/iLPsLH3f0A

— Mamamia (@Mamamia)

The woman - remembered by the attorney-general as a "bright, happy person" - went to police last year but withdrew the complaint before taking her own life in June.

NSW Police has closed its criminal investigation into the allegations over a lack of admissible evidence to proceed.

South Australian coroner David Whittle has asked SA police to further investigate the death.

Police had provided the coroner with a case file on Monday, but the investigation was found to be "incomplete", Mr Whittle said.

"This was particularly evident having regard to information contained in recent media reports," the coroner said in a statement.

JUST IN: SA coroner David Whittle says the investigation into the death of a woman in June 2020 is “incomplete”. “Once that investigation has been completed to my satisfaction, I shall determine whether to hold an inquest”. @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/bIKgNB2sQl

— Kathryn Bermingham (@KatBermingham)

"The investigation is continuing and once that investigation has been completed to my satisfaction I shall determine whether to hold an inquest."

Mr Porter, who said he had not been contacted by police or shown the full details of the claims against him, said if he had decided to stand down it would have undermined Australia's system of justice.

"There wouldn't be much need for an attorney-general anyway because there would no rule of law left to protect in this country."

Michaelia Cash will act as federal attorney-general and industrial relations minister.

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Linda Reynolds doesn't deny calling Brittany Higgins a "lying cow."

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has not denied reports that she referred to alleged rape victim and former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins as a "lying cow".

The Australianreports Senator Reynolds made the comment in front of staff when Brittany went public with her allegation of rape against a former colleague inside Parliament House in 2019.

#EXCLUSIVE: Linda Reynolds referred to Brittany Higgins as a ‘lying cow’ in front of staff, after her former media adviser went public about an alleged rape in Parliament House. #auspol https://t.co/Db62IxL8VD

— The Australian (@australian)

In a statement sent out last night to various news outlets, Reynolds didn't dispute the term. Instead she clarified the context.

"I have never questioned Ms Higgins account of her alleged sexual assault and have always sought to respect her agency in this matter.

"I did however comment on news reports regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented."

"I have consistently respected Ms Higgins's agency and privacy and said this is her story to tell and no one else's.

"Ms Higgins's allegations are very serious and that is how they must be treated to ensure her legal rights are protected. I welcome her decision to progress this matter with the Australian Federal Police."

PM's conscience questioned by Grace Tame over rape claim.

Australian of the Year Grace Tame has pointedly questioned the prime minister's conscience over his recent handling of sexual assault allegations.

"It shouldn't take having children to have a conscience," Ms Tame told the National Press Club on Wednesday, referencing Morrison's comment that 'you have to think about this as a father first.'

"And, actually, on top of that, having children doesn't guarantee a conscience," she continued.

Asked if the prime minister was creating an atmosphere where survivors are believed she replied "clearly not."

Tame also rebuked the nation's top military officer for suggesting young women should avoid being attractive or alone to stop sexual predators.

Defence chief Angus Campbell told three trainee officers to avoid the "four As" - alcohol, out after midnight, alone and attractive.

"That's not helpful rhetoric at all. That feeds the idea that this is something that a victim has to foresee and stop themselves, as if they're to blame," she said.

Angus Campbell warns first year cadets being alone, attractive, drunk and out late made them vulnerable to sexual predators. https://t.co/0Y2ttyEhpX

— The Australian (@australian)

Blast at Dutch COVID-19 test centre.

Dutch police say a coronavirus testing centre north of Amsterdam appears to have been intentionally targeted after an explosion went off at the facility before it opened.

The blast in the town of Bovenkarspel, 55km north of the capital, shattered windows but caused no injuries, police from the province of North Holland said in a statement.

Dutch police are investigating an explosion outside a coronavirus test center in a town north of Amsterdam. No one was injured from the blast. But investigators told local media the explosion appeared intentional. https://t.co/q81khnJn7v

— NPR (@NPR)

The incident comes shortly before national elections on March 17 widely seen as a referendum on the government's handling of the pandemic.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD Party is likely to remain the largest, according to opinion polls.

The metal remains of the explosive, about 10cm by 10cm in size, were found on the front of the building and "must have been placed" there, police spokesman Menno Hartenberg told Reuters.

The region around Bovenkarspel, a rural town, is currently suffering one of the Netherlands' worst COVID-19 outbreaks, with 181 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with around 27 per 100,000 nationally.

Russian virus strain hits Qld quarantine.

Two people have tested positive for the Russian strain of COVID-19 in Brisbane quarantine hotels, with another 75 guests now being tested for the virus.

Queensland Health says the two confirmed cases arrived on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Brisbane on February 17.

A third person, who was on the flight, tested positive for COVID-19 and is now undergoing genomic testing to see if it's the Russian strain.

A new Russian strain of COVID-19 has been detected among a group of travellers who arrived from Qatar last month, forcing them to extend their quarantine in a Brisbane hotel https://t.co/XrDapTwxcC

— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail)

Queensland Health says the outbreak is contained in quarantine and the Russian virus strain is not particularly dangerous.

"The Russian variant is not considered a variant of concern, but as the variant is very new, we are remaining cautious while we learn more about its incubation period and transmissibility," it said.

Sydney Westfield displays Nazi symbols in shop window.

A face mask emblazoned with Nazi symbols on display in a shop window in Miranda Westfield in Sydney's south has caused disgust amongst shoppers.

Images began circulating on social media on Wednesday, depicting the masks decorated in swastikas and the Nazi eagle.

Exclusive: Westfield has ordered a store to remove a mask printed with Nazi motifs from a mannequin inside a store at their Miranda shopping centre. @stgeorgeshire https://t.co/Z5qOp5rCO9

— Eliza Barr (@ElizaJBarr)

"As soon as the centre was made aware, the team spoke with the retailer who expressed it was a genuine mistake," Westfield Miranda said in a statement to