Brittany Higgins, Bruce Lehrmann defamation trial LIVE: Staggering sum Seven Network paid for Lehrmann’s accommodation

Network Seven agreed to pay for Bruce Lehrmann's accommodation for one year, worth approximately $104,000, in exchange for interviews on Spotlight.

The staggering sum was revealed in a tax invoice from June this year, which was uploaded to the Federal Court website on Tuesday afternoon, amid his defamation trial against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.

According to the document, the network used a short-term accommodation agency to secure Lehrmann's home for a year – between April 2023 and April 2024.

The $4,000 bill covers two weeks of rent, from June 8 to June 23, which works out to about $8,000 per month.

Network Seven previously said it 'made no payment to Mr Lehrmann for the interview' but 'assisted with accommodation as part of the filming of the report'.

Until earlier this year, Lehrman lived in a beachfront apartment in Maroubra, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, with “great coastal views”.

He now lives in another rental house in Sydney's north.

During his cross-examination last week, Wilkinson's barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC asked Mr Lehrmann what he got in return for his interview with Seven's Spotlight program earlier this year.

Ms Chrysanthou asked: 'Was it part of that agreement that you were paid by Channel Seven for twelve months' accommodation?'

Mr Lehrmann replied: 'That's all…that's what I get.'

Ms Chrysanthou continues: 'That happened from June 2023 and paid until June 2024?'

Mr. Lehrmann said, “Um, well, yeah. For filming in those places.'

He explained that part of the first Spotlight interview, which aired on Channel Seven in June, was partly filmed at that property.

She then asked how much that was worth, but Mr. Lehrmann said he didn't know because “the network arranged the housing.”

Mr Lehrmann's exclusivity contract with the network was also uploaded to the Federal Court website on Tuesday, which was signed in April – when Seven started paying his rent.

It said: '[Mr Lehrmann] will grant exclusivity to Seven, at specific times and places that Seven requires.”

Those experiences related to his experiences during his criminal trial last year and his life afterward, along with relevant documents, film, video, photographs and “resources” requested by the network.

Last week, Mr Lehrmann said in court that he had not provided any material beyond his interviews.

“In consideration for the interviewee's full compliance with the terms and warranties of this agreement and for the contribution of his time, Seven will provide the interviewee with accommodation for 12 months,” the report said.

'The residence may be used by Seven to arrange and film parts of the Seven exclusive.'