Brisbane (CNN)-When Australia's attorney general last week outed himself as the minister accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in 1988, his denial was emphatic.

"The things that I have read did not happen, and to suggest that they could be forgotten is ridiculous," said Christian Porter, who oversees legal affairs and national security, before starting a period of mental health leave.

For Prime Minister Scott Morrison, that was the end of the matter.

The alleged victim didn't file a police statement before she died, age 49, last year. After police closed the case last week, citing a lack of "admissible evidence," Morrison refused to order an independent inquiry into the allegations, which emerged after statements by the alleged victim were anonymously sent to the Prime Minister's office and two female politicians from other parties.

For many Australians, however, the case is not closed. Far from it.