Linda Reynolds has announced she will not seek another term as senator, ending a turbulent decade in politics that saw her embroiled in the Brittany Higgins saga.
After 10 years in the Senate, the Western Australian senator and former defense minister announced she will resign when her term ends in June 2025 and will not seek preselection for the Liberal Party.
“With nominations for WA Liberal Party Senate preselection closing later this week, I have informed the WA Liberal Party that I will not be nominating you as a candidate for another term as Liberal Senator for Western Australia,” he said in a release.
“It is rare in politics to have the opportunity to choose the timing and circumstances of your departure, and my decision has been made after considerable reflection on what lies behind me and the opportunities that now lie ahead.”
After 10 years in the Senate, the Western Australian senator and former defense minister announced she will resign when her term ends in June 2025 and will not seek preselection for the Liberal Party.
Senator Reynolds, who served as Minister for Defense and Government Services in Scott Morrison’s government, came under political and media attention when young staffer Brittany Higgins claimed she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann in Mrs. Reynolds in March 2021.
Mr. Lehrmann has always denied this accusation.
Reynolds has since become embroiled in an ongoing battle with Higgins and her fiancé David Sharaz, suing them for defamation in the Western Australian Supreme Court over posts each made on social media.
As part of those proceedings, Ms Reynolds has expressed her desire to freeze Ms Higgins’ assets after the former employees showed off their new life in the south of France after receiving a $2.4 million compensation payment. funded by taxpayers.
In her farewell statement, Mrs Reynolds said she has been serving her nation for 40 years, first in the military and then as a politician in both government and opposition.
Ms Reynolds (pictured with Ms Higgins) came under political and media attention when young staffer Brittany Higgins claimed she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann in Ms Reynolds’ parliamentary office in March 2021.
He has vowed to “continue serving, but in new ways” in his future career after leaving the Senate.
“My passion and commitment to my State and my Nation remain as strong as ever,” he said.
“I will do everything I can to support the election of Peter Dutton as our next Prime Minister and Libby Mettam as the next WA Premier.”
Ms Reynolds reflected on her different roles over the years, including advocacy and working with the NDIS during “some of the most difficult times in our nation’s recent history”.
‘Just as the health of our democracy can never be taken for granted, neither can the health of political parties: both must be constantly renewed and strengthened.
‘I joined the Liberal Party over 35 years ago and my respect and trust in the principles and values on which it was founded has only deepened over time.
“Having achieved more than I set out to do when I entered the Senate, there is no perfect time to leave politics, but this is the right time for me and the WA Liberal Party to give my successor the same opportunities that have given me given to me.” .’
Reynolds wrote a letter to Higgins’ attorney, Leon Zwier, in December, pointing to reports that the couple had purchased a home in the small town of Lunas and planned to move permanently.
Sen. Simon Birmingham, a longtime colleague of Reynolds, issued a statement Monday afternoon thanking him for his service.
He said: “I look forward to continuing to serve alongside Linda for the remainder of her term and extend my deepest gratitude for her service to our country.
“Many have highlighted Linda’s strength, courage and dignity. I have no doubt that in the years to come Linda will continue to unwaveringly serve her community and our nation.”
The announcement comes just weeks after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Reynolds had sought French legal advice on whether France would enforce an Australian ruling over the freezing of Higgins’ assets.
“I am considering my position and awaiting advice from French counsel on my right to enforce an Australian judgment against assets in France,” he said.
Reynolds wrote a letter to Higgins’ attorney, Leon Zwier, in December, pointing to reports that the couple had purchased a home in the small town of Lunas and planned to move permanently.
“If such reports are true, we consider it appropriate to make an application for freezing orders,” the letter said.