Lawyers representing Senator Linda Reynolds in her defamation case against Brittany Higgins and her partner, David Sharaz, will base much of their case on the former political staffer’s claims that she was “suicidal” following her alleged rape.
Senator Reynolds filed defamation claims against the couple in 2023 after her former Liberal Party media adviser allegedly breached their settlement agreement.
The process dates back to Ms Higgins’ claim that she was raped by her co-worker, Bruce Lehrmann, inside Ms Reynolds’ Parliament House office in 2019.
Following the alleged rape, Ms Higgins worked in Perth with Senator Reynolds in the run-up to the 2019 federal election, during which time Ms Higgins claims she felt “isolated, ostracized and suicidal “.
However, Senator Reynolds’ lawyer, Martin Bennett, says his case will show “very different memories of that,” he said. Western Australia reported.
Brittany Higgins (pictured with her partner, David Sharaz) will go to trial to defend herself against Senator Linda Reynolds’ allegations that she was defamed.
Following the alleged rape, Ms Higgins worked in Perth with Senator Reynolds in the run-up to the 2019 federal election (pictured is a photo Ms Higgins shared from Perth on election night – appears above on the left).
It is understood Senator Reynolds’ team will call up to 20 witnesses in a trial, including former work colleagues of Ms Higgins.
A hearing held Wednesday under a new judge, Judge Paul Tottle, made no mention of further mediation between the three parties.
Instead, the groups planned a strategy conference on May 24 ahead of the six-week test that will begin on July 24.
Senator Reynolds sought damages from Sharaz in January 2023 over allegations that the former press gallery journalist shared five social media posts that defamed her.
Just six months later, the senator launched a defamation case against Ms Higgins, who she claims shared two social media posts falsely claiming Senator Reynolds used the press to harass her.
In one post, Higgins slammed his former boss for continuing to “harass me through the media and in parliament.”
Senator Reynolds claims the couple’s posts were a “concerted plan” to attack his integrity.
Higgins and Sharaz flew some 14,000 kilometers to Perth from their new home in the south of France to sit with Senator Reynolds at mediation in March, but the parties failed to reach a resolution.
At the time, Higgins told reporters it was difficult to return to Perth because of his negative memories.
The lawyer representing Senator Reynolds (pictured) told reporters on Wednesday that she had taken out a mortgage on her home to pay for the process.
“It’s beautiful, but personally it’s difficult to be back in Perth,” he said.
“I think everyone is acting in good faith trying to get a result.”
Following her attempted nine-hour peace talks, Ms Higgins shared an Instagram story saying: “I will not stay silent so you can be comfortable.”
On Wednesday, Senator Reynolds’ lawyer, Mr Bennett, told the court he intends to add the publication to his claims against Ms Higgins, arguing it aggravated the situation.
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz are expected to present their defenses at the same time due to the overlapping nature of Senator Reynolds’ claims.
Bennett also asked the court to follow a document exchange schedule to reduce the cost of the trial.
He later told reporters outside court that Senator Reynolds was forced to mortgage her home to finance her case.
However, Bennett did not rule out the possibility of mediation efforts being revived following Judge Michael Lee’s ruling in Lehrmann’s defamation case against Lisa Wilkinson and Network Ten.
Higgins and Sharaz flew to Perth in March (pictured) for a nine-hour mediation with Senator Reynolds.
“At the moment, we need to prepare for a trial,” Mr Bennett said.
Judge Lee will give his verdict next week.
Lehrmann has vehemently denied allegations that he raped Higgins in March 2019.
In October 2022, a criminal trial against him was aborted due to jury misconduct.
Further criminal proceedings were dropped due to concerns for Ms Higgins’ mental health.
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