An investigation has resumed investigating when the Prime Minister’s office found out about the alleged rape of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

Ms Higgins, a former ministerial advisor, says she was raped by a former colleague inside Parliament House in March 2019.

In February, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens was tasked with investigating who in the prime minister’s office knew about the allegation and when.

The probe was paused over fears it could interfere with police, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison says it is still ongoing. He gave no word on when its findings may be handed down. 

“I know it’s commenced, but I have no knowledge of its conduct,” he told the ABC this week.

“Why would I? That would be inappropriate.

“It’s an independent, arm’s length investigation.”

A separate investigation into whether members of the prime minister’s office tried to discredit supporters of  Brittany Higgins has been running for more than seven weeks.

The chief of staff was ordered to conduct the inquiry after Ms Higgins lodged a formal complaint.

“I expect this process to conclude when all matters have been able to be taken into consideration, including relevant information from Ms Higgins,” Mr Morrison told Parliament on Wednesday.

Ms Higgins claims the prime minister’s senior staff gave journalists background briefings against her loved ones, after she said she had been made to feel like a political problem.

The PM has also been forced to respond to his own light-handed treatment of backbencher Andrew Laming, who has engaged in repeated abhorrent behaviour towards various women over the course of several years. 

Dr Laming was forced to take a month of paid leave to seek counselling and empathy training, but this week returned to federal Parliament and the Liberal party room.

Dr Laming has backed down from his pledge to remove himself from all parliamentary positions. He remains chair of a parliamentary committee on employment, education and training, which pays an extra $23,000 on top of his annual salary.

Mr Morrison said he never called for Dr Laming to stand down.

“I’ve never made any comments on that matter,” Mr Morrison said this week.

“He had made some comments on that matter, but he has formed the view since then that the issues that were the subject of complaints made against him have now altered.

“There have been new, new facts that have come forward.”

If this article causes distress, help is available via the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. For help in a crisis call 000.