Stage and television actress Christie Whelan Browne has settled her long-running lawsuit against the production company behind The Rocky Horror Picture Show after alleging star Craig McLachlan sexually harassed her.
Ms Whelan Browne launched proceedings in the Federal Court last year, alleging that Oldfield Entertainment had failed to provide a safe working environment during the 2014 production, citing breaches of workplace health and safety.
The 42-year-old actress, who played the role of Janet, had been claiming $1.5 million for general loss and damages and another $500,000 in aggravated damages, but on Wednesday revealed she had settled the suit out of court.
“I have now settled my sexual discrimination/sexual harassment case with Oldfield Entertainment out of court,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I am very happy with the outcome and that I was able to avoid the pain of another trial. The last 18 months have taken their toll on me.
‘But there will come a day in the future, when I’m healed, and I’ll be able to look back and feel proud that I stood up for myself.
“There’s nothing more to say about it. It’s done. I’m free.”
TV presenter Lisa Wilkinson and Brittany Higgins expressed their support for Ms Whelan Browne online.
Christie Whelan Browne (pictured) has settled her long-running lawsuit against the production company behind The Rocky Horror Picture Show after she alleged she was sexually harassed by star Craig McLachlan.
Craig McLachlan is photographed with his partner Vanessa Scammell
Wilkinson said the actress was “an inspiration to Christie” and that it was now “time to breathe”.
Ms Whelan Browne’s lawyers had argued in court that Oldfield Entertainment had a duty to provide her with a safe working environment.
This included taking all reasonable steps to prevent its employees from engaging in breaches of the Sex Discrimination Act, including harassment and victimisation.
Ms Whelan Brown alleged that Oldfield Entertainment had failed to protect her from repeated sexual harassment by Mr McLachlan.
“I have settled my sexual discrimination/sexual harassment case with Oldfield Entertainment out of court,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am very happy with the outcome and that I was able to avoid the pain of another trial. The last 18 months have taken a toll on me.”
Christie Whelan Browne (pictured left) starred alongside Craig McLachlan (pictured right) in the ill-fated 2014 production of The Rocky Horror Show. The 42-year-old actor had sought $1.5 million in general damages and another $500,000 in aggravated damages.
In 2018, Whelan Browne and two other actresses made accusations against McLachlan, who subsequently left The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Police later charged McLachlan with multiple counts of indecent assault, but he was later acquitted in court.
The Neighbours and Home And Away star launched libel proceedings against ABC and Fairfax Media in 2018 which were abruptly discontinued in 2021.
Mr McLachlan has previously denied the allegations, and the halt to court proceedings meant no findings were made regarding Ms Whelan Browne’s allegations.
In 2018, allegations were made against McLachlan (pictured) by Whelan Browne and two other actresses, who subsequently left The Rocky Horror Picture Show. McLachlan previously denied the allegations.
