20 September 2021

Labor staffer Alexander Matters granted bail after being charged over alleged rape

| Albert McKnight
Alexander Matters

Former Labor staffer Alexander Matters, 20, leaves the ACT Courts on Monday after being released on bail. Photo: Albert McKnight.

Former Labor staffer Alexander Matters, who was recently accused of rape, has been released on bail.

The 20-year-old from Acton, who worked for federal Labor MP and Member for Bean David Smith, has been charged over an alleged sexual assault in April 2021.

ACT Policing said the matter was first reported to ACT Policing in August 2021 and a formal statement was given to police last week.

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Police searched a home in Acton on Friday and charged Mr Matters with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

He first appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday (18 September) and was taken for a mental health assessment.

Mr Matters returned to the court on Monday (20 September) where Magistrate Louise Taylor granted him bail and adjourned the case to 12 October.

He has not entered pleas. He faces a maximum 12 years imprisonment if convicted.

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