Bill Shorten denies rape claim

Labor leader Bill Shorten has refuted an allegation of sexual assault.

Denying allegations ... Labor leader Bill Shorten. Source: News Corp Australia

LABOR leader Bill Shorten has confirmed that he is the senior Labor figure investigated for a sexual assault that occurred in the 1980s.

Mr Shorten denied he had assaulted the woman and there was "absolutely no basis for the claim".

COMMENT: A hazardous step for Shorten

"Last year I learned that a claim had been made about me, going back to when I was 19."

He described the allegation as "untrue and abhorrent," but revealed it was made by someone he knew briefly when he was 19 years old.

At nineteen ... the then teenaged Bill Shorten (right) with Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1986. Source: News Corp Australia

"I freely answered all the questions the police asked of me," he said.

"I want to address this myself directly, this has been deeply distressing for my family. Police have now concluded the investigation. It is over. I have no intention of making any further comment. The police have finished their work; I think in all fairness I have the right to draw the line on this."

Mr Shorten said he would not go into details about the claim except to say the allegation was untrue and he intended to never discuss the matter again.

"The easy option would be to say nothing, but that is not who I am," he told reporters.

Australian Opposition Leader Bill Shorten with wife Chloe Bryce. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Mr Shorten thanked his wife Chloe, his staff and his parliamentary colleagues for their support.

"Others who were aware of the investigation have acted with the utmost integrity by leaving the police to do their job," he said.

The Australian has previously reported that a senior Labor figure was alleged to have raped a teenager in the 80s at an overnight camp organised by the Vanguard movement of the Victorian Young Labor Party. The camp took place at Portarlington.

The woman, a community nurse now living on the NSW Central Coast, told police she was drunk at the time of the alleged assault but that her memory of the incident was clear.

It is understood she first posted the accusations on Kevin Rudd's Facebook page.

Victorian police confirmed they had investigated the report but after seeking advice from the Office of Public Prosecutions had decided not to proceed with criminal charges.

Victoria Police confirmed that they invesitgated an alleged historical sexual assault.

"Investigating police sought advice from the Office of Public Prosecutions, which advised there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. All parties have been notified that Victoria Police will not be proceeding with criminal charges," a police spokesperson said.

This is not the first time that Mr Shorten has been forced to address an unspecified allegation.

In 2012, he and wife Chloe Bryce hit back publicly at a hurtful political smear.

"I just think personal lives and families should be off limits," Mr Shorten said at the time.

"I understand why people are interested in the personal lives of people in public life," Ms Bryce said.

"I understand the curiosity, but I think the sorts of things people say can be appalling."

Strong supporter ... Bill Shorten and Richard Marles. Picture: Alison Wynd Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Shorten's colleague Richard Marles came out publicly in support of the Labor leader, saying there is "no way" the allegation could be true.

"I know he really wanted to clear the air on this issue," the Shadow Immigration Minister said after calling in to 2GB Radio this afternoon.

"I think he wanted to set the record straight once and for all."

Mr Marles said there were "a lot of people" on social media following the case and it was a "courageous step" taken by Mr Shorten to get on the "front foot".

"It is an extraordinary afternoon," he said, adding Police have concluded a "thorough investigation".

"There isn't a case to answer."

"I know that these allegations are not true," Mr Marles added, explaining he had first met Bill in 1987 and they've been close friends.

"I know they're not true because the person that I've known, a close friend of mine from that time right through to now, is simply not capable of undertaking the allegation that have been made against him.

"There's just no way that any of this was possible."

The Shadow Minister praised Mr Shorten for doing his job in the face of the allegations which he told his friend about last November.

"He was really shocked," he said.

"That was really I think one of the worst moments of Bill's life."

"I'm really proud of him," Mr Marles said.

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