The statement said the minister would take a period of medical leave.
Senator Reynolds has been under pressure after former staffer Brittany Higgins went public last week with allegations she was raped by a colleague in the minister’s office in March 2019. The minister has faced repeated questions from political opponents and journalists over what she knew about the incident and when.
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On Tuesday,Senator Reynolds gaveconflicting accounts to Parliament about meetings with police over Ms Higgins’ allegations,and last week she broke down in tears during question time.
The minister was due to speak at the National Press Club on Wednesday. Cabinet colleague Greg Hunt told reporters she was “desperate to appear”.
“It was only on the strongest medical advice that she took the reluctant decision not to do it,” he said on Wednesday.
“I would very gently counsel anybody who might reflect other than on somebody’s medical condition.”