Christian Porter MP reveals what he will do when he leaves parliament


Christian Porter has revealed he will work as a lawyer and possibly a writer after he leaves Parliament.

The former attorney-general hoped to be Prime Minister until his political career came crashing down after he denied a historical rape allegation last year.

The Liberal MP for Pearce in WA was demoted to science minister and then dumped from the frontbench altogether before announcing he would not seek re-election this year.

The former attorney-general, 51, walked arm-in-arm with his new partner, criminal lawyer Karen Espiner, after the two dined with a group of friends at the Justin Hemmes-owned eatery Mimi's in Coogee on February 5

The former attorney-general, 51, walked arm-in-arm with his new partner, criminal lawyer Karen Espiner, after the two dined with a group of friends at the Justin Hemmes-owned eatery Mimi’s in Coogee on February 5

Mr Porter (pictured in the House) has revealed he will work as a lawyer and possibly a writer after he leaves Parliament

Mr Porter (pictured in the House) has revealed he will work as a lawyer and possibly a writer after he leaves Parliament

In an update to a register of his interests on Monday, Mr Porter revealed he set up two companies called Henley Stirling Lawyers Pty Ltd and Henley Stirling Consultants Pty on February 3.

‘The first company has been registered for the purposes of conducting legal practice, which practice will not commence until I cease to be a Member of Parliament,’ he wrote.

‘The second company has been established with respect to possible future writing ventures.’ 

Mr Porter, a father of two, also set up the CP Family Trust which is the sole shareholder of both companies.

It comes after 7.30 reported that Mr Porter may act for a defendant in a gun heist trial in Perth. 

Three men are accused of breaking into a Perth firearms shop and stealing more than 100 weapons.

According to a transcript of a court hearing seen by the ABC, a solicitor for one of the defendants said ‘Mr Porter will be counsel’.

But the former public prosecutor will not officially accept the job until the election is called meaning he will no longer be an MP. 

The election is expected to be called in April and held in May. 

The two laughed and smiled as they held hands and wrapped arms while walking by the beach in the trendy suburb Ms Espiner calls home

The two laughed and smiled as they held hands and wrapped arms while walking by the beach in the trendy suburb Ms Espiner calls home

The couple (pictured together) were all smiles after they met up with friends for lunch and cocktails

The couple (pictured together) were all smiles after they met up with friends for lunch and cocktails 

Mr Porter said in a statement: ‘After politics I am intending to return to private legal practice. This is well known and I have been approached by a number of people with a number of potential future briefs. 

‘Obviously what briefs are ultimately accepted and when I commence appearance work will depend upon the timing of when the election is called.’

In a lengthy resignation statement in December, Mr Porter – who has been relentlessly trolled online – hit out at his critics, saying: ‘Perhaps the only certainty now is that there appears to be no limit to what some will say or allege or do to gain an advantage over a perceived enemy.

‘This makes the harshness that can accompany the privilege of representing people, harder than ever before.’

Christian Porter and ex-wife Jennifer in 2018

Christian Porter and ex-wife Jennifer in 2018

The MP, who split from second wife Jennifer in January 2020, said he will spend more time with his son and daughter. 

‘My little boy was born one day before I first became a Commonwealth Minister. He and his little sister have never known anything but their father’s regular absence and so the next part of my working life will be anchored around being close to them and being there for them,’ he said. 

Mr Porter’s career was shattered when the ABC published an article detailing historic rape allegations against an unnamed cabinet minister in February last year. 

In an extraordinary press briefing in Perth in March, a shattered and tearful Mr Porter outed himself to deny the allegations which dated back to 1988.

He confirmed he attended a debating competition at Sydney University with his accuser when he was 17 and she was 16 – but he categorically denied ever sleeping with the woman who took her own life in June 2020.

The rape allegations did not end Mr Porter’s cabinet career but, after a few weeks of mental health leave, Scott Morrison shuffled him from attorney-general to science minister.

Mr Porter sued the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan for defamation over her online article which aired the rape allegations. 

Following mediation, Mr Porter – who was not charged after a police investigation – decided to drop his case against the ABC in May. 

He was not paid any settlement fee but the ABC was required to update its article with an editors’ note expressing ‘regret’ that readers may have thought the minister was guilty.   

In September Mr Porter revealed he had accepted an anonymous donation to help cover his legal costs estimated to be worth $600,000 to $1million.

The donation was made through a blind trust which meant the identity of the donor or donors was kept secret, including from Mr Porter.  

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart, media mogul Kerry Stokes, and Fortescue Metals Group chairman Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest each denied handing cash to Mr Porter’s fund.

Labor said it was unacceptable for a member of parliament to receive a donation when they could not verify where it had come from. 

Under intense pressure, Mr Porter resigned from cabinet so he would not be a ‘distraction’ for the Government. 

In an extraordinary press briefing (pictured) in Perth in March 2021, Mr Porter cried and denied rape

In an extraordinary press briefing (pictured) in Perth in March 2021, Mr Porter cried and denied rape

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