Anthony Albanese has dismissed as a “bizarre conspiracy theory” suggestions Labor has questions to answer over its knowledge of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations.

His comments come as he defends his frontbench colleague, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, who has denied she misled parliament in 2021 about being aware of the allegations before they were made public.

Responding to a claim she knew about the incident for weeks to use it for political gain, Senator Gallagher said she did not seek to weaponise the allegations.

Questions were raised of the finance minister after leaked text messages between Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz emerged last week suggesting the pair contemplated strategising her story with Senator Gallagher when she was in opposition.

Mr Albanese said his minister had been transparent and the suggestion Senator Gallagher misled parliament was “absurd”.

“It’s a bizarre conspiracy theory that suggests that Labor is somehow at the centre of all of this,” he told ABC Radio.

“And indeed, according to Senator (Linda) Reynolds herself, and the discussion that took place at that time on the Monday night, Katie Gallagher said, ‘yes, I was made aware in broad terms that there was an incident in the days beforehand’.

“So this has been known by Senator Reynolds since that time since 2001, and now, in 2023, somehow this is this concocted issue by what is a desperate Liberal opposition.”

As parliament resumes on Tuesday, coalition senators are set to use Question Time to target Senator Gallagher over her knowledge of the allegations.

Ms Higgins alleges she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019, a claim Mr Lehrmann has always denied.

The trial of Mr Lehrmann was aborted over juror misconduct and prosecutors did not seek a retrial, citing concern for Ms Higgins’ mental health.

The ACT is now holding an inquiry into the investigation and prosecution.

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