Christian Porter has made his first public appearance with his new partner at an upmarket beachside hotspot, just months after announcing he’s quitting politics following the backlash over a $1million donation from a blind trust to fund his defamation suit against historic rape accusations.
The former Australian attorney-general, 51, walked arm-in-arm with elite criminal lawyer Karen Espiner after the two dined with a group of friends at the Justin Hemmes-owned eatery Mimi’s in Coogee on Saturday, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The lovestruck couple arrived at the venue around 12:45pm before the others joined. After lunch, they headed across to Will’s Beachside Cocktail Bar – attached to the Coogee Pavilion – where they carried on until 6:30pm.
Although the lovebirds went public with their relationship in June last year, it’s the first time they’ve been photographed in public together.
Christian Porter has made a public appearance with his new flame Karen Espiner at an upmarket beachside hotspot (pictured together)
The former Attorney General, 51 (pictured with Karen Espiner), walked arm-in-arm with the elite criminal lawyer at Sydney’s Coogee Beach
The two lovebirds (pictured together) were all smiles after they met up with friends for lunch and cocktails
The stylish brunette, who co-founded Younes + Espiner Lawyers, wore a colourful summer dress by the boutique Byron Bay designer Mister Zimi, while Mr Porter stepped out in dark Levi’s jeans, a sports jacket and Converse Chuck Taylor boots.
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.
Mr Porter’s Sydney pitstop comes before Parliament resumes this week amid a whirlwind of controversy within the Coalition.
Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce was forced to apologise for calling Prime Minister Scott Morrison a ‘hypocrite’ and a ‘liar’ in a leaked text message.
The lovestruck couple (pictured together) arrived at the venue at about 12:45pm before the others joined. After the lunch they headed across to Will’s Beachside Cocktail Bar – attached to Coogee Pavilion – where they carried on until 6:30pm
Although the couple went public with their relationship in June last year, it’s the first time Christian Porter and Karen Espiner (pictured) been photographed in public together
The scandal came just days after an unknown Liberal Cabinet Minister branded the PM a ‘complete psycho’ in another leaked text, while former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian allegedly called him a ‘horrible, horrible person’.
But that all seemed a world away from Mr Porter who appeared relaxed and cheerful ahead of what is set to be another wild week for the government.
The divorced father of two is quitting politics at the next federal election, tipped to be called in May.
Mr Porter left his attorney-general role after an emotional press conference last March following allegations – which he categorically denied – that he was involved in a rape in 1988 when he was 17 while attending a high-school debating competition in Sydney.
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
Mr Porter’s Sydney pitstop with Espiner (pictured together) comes before Parliament resumes this week amid a whirlwind of controversy within the Coalition
An article by the ABC had detailed the accusations levelled at a Cabinet minister but did not name him.
But in the days that followed, Mr Porter outed himself as the minister referred to in the story, but strongly refuted all the allegations and launched legal action against the public broadcaster.
NSW Police found there was not enough evidence to pursue the historical allegations and dropped the investigation.
Mr Porter was moved to the position of Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, while he was taking legal action against the ABC as a political compromise on the advice of the solicitor-general. The lawsuit was later settled out of court.
The stylish brunette, who co-founded Younes + Espiner Lawyers, wore a colourful summer dress by the boutique Byron Bay designer Mister Zimi, while Mr Porter stepped out in dark jeans, a sports jacket and Converse Chuck Taylors
The couple met up with friends for a long lunch before heading to a cocktail bar and then going for a summer’s evening stroll
The under-fire politician later resigned from Cabinet in September after it was revealed he had accepted anonymous donations from a blind trust to cover his legal expenses.
It is estimated Mr Porter received between $600,000 to $1million from a mystery benefactor.
Ms Espiner said she was not involved in Mr Porter’s defamation case but offered him personal support during the tough time.
The hotshot legal eagle is among Sydney’s most high-powered lawyers and was named Criminal Law Partner of the Year at the 2020 Lawyers Weekly Awards.
Much of Karen’s practice is devoted to representing clients in the District and Supreme Courts who have been charged with ‘very serious criminal law matters including murder, sexual offences, drug offences, serious assaults and corporate offences,’ according to the Younes + Espiner Lawyers website.
The under fire politician (pictured with Espiner) resigned from cabinet entirely in September after it was revealed he had accepted anonymous donations from a blind trust to cover his legal expenses
The couple walked off arm-in-arm as the sun was setting across eastern Sydney as Mr Porter prepares to return to parliament this week
‘She also appears in complicated Local Court matters for clients whose personal and professional reputations are at risk.
‘One of Karen’s strengths is her ability to analyse and explain complex legal issues to her clients in a simple, easy-to-follow way.
‘She is well respected by other members of the profession and the judiciary and is known for her meticulous preparation, persuasive advocacy and professionalism.’
Mr Porter split with his wife Jennifer, also a lawyer, in January 2020, after 13 years together.
‘It is a mutual decision and no third parties are involved,’ they said at the time.
‘We have been working hard to see what could be possible because first and foremost we are loving parents to two wonderful little children.’
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