Brittany Higgins awarded multi-million dollar taxpayer-funded payout from Parliament in Canberra
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Brittany Higgins gets a multi-million dollar taxpayer-funded payout after she alleged she was raped in Parliament House and the trial was sensationally aborted
- Brittany Higgins received a multi-million dollar taxpayer compensation payment
- She alleged that she was raped by a colleague at Parliament House in March 2019.
- Bruce Lehrmann’s trial went off the rails and prosecutors decided to drop the charges
- They said Ms Higgin’s health would be put at risk by continuing the case.
- His lawyers announced the payment Tuesday after just one day of mediation.
Brittany Higgins has reached a confidential agreement with the Commonwealth after allegations of sexual assault by the former political staffer at Parliament House.
Attorney Noor Blumer, representing Ms Higgins, issued a brief statement on Tuesday.
“In a mediation held today, the Commonwealth and Ms Higgins have settled their claims,” Ms Blumer said.
“At the request of Ms. Higgins, the parties have agreed that the terms of the settlement are confidential.”
Brittany Higgins (pictured) received compensation from The Commonwealth for the alleged Parliament House incident in March 2019
In early December, Ms. Higgins’ civil action named three defendants in her action: Senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash, as well as the Commonwealth. Since then, Senator Reynolds is believed to have been removed from the claim.
The documents state Ms. Higgins’ intent to sue for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, neglect and victimization.
At the time, the claim was expected to be worth about $3 million, including $2.5 million for future economic losses, past economic losses of about $100,000, and general damages of $100,000.
None of those numbers were mentioned Tuesday.
“The parties welcome the fact of the agreement,” said Ms. Blumer.
Ms. Higgins alleges that Bruce Lehrmann raped her in 2019 inside the ministerial office of Senator Reynolds, for whom they both worked as staff.
Lehrmann has always denied the accusation. His trial in the ACT Supreme Court was derailed by jury misconduct. Prosecutors decided not to take further action.
After the 2019 federal election, Ms Higgins moved into the office of then-employment minister Michaelia Cash to work as a media adviser.
Mr. Lehrmann is also considering an insurance claim and defamation action.