Sky News political commentator Peta Credlin helped Brittany Higgins draft a statement outlining the former staffer’s plan to reform the way parliament deals with sexual harassment, a defamation case has been reported.
Ms Higgins is fighting with her former boss, Senator Linda Reynolds, over a series of social media posts from 2023 that the former defence minister says damaged her reputation.
The senator’s lawyer Martin Bennett told the Perth District Court that a statement purporting to be from Ms Higgins, read out by her lawyer Rachael Young during her plea, was not written by her.
“It was not Ms Higgins’ voice at all,” he told the Western Australian Supreme Court on Tuesday, referring to the February 19, 2021, statement.
‘The concept … was prepared by (Mrs. Higgins’s current husband, David) Sharaz and edited by Peta Credlin.’
Mr Bennett read out a series of messages between Mr Sharaz and Ms Credlin in which he said: ‘Thanks again for your help. Please see the first draft below, feel free to completely rework it wherever you wish’.
Mr Bennett said Ms Credlin, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s chief of staff, made suggestions to rewrite paragraphs and he had asked Mr Sharaz to call her so she could go through the changes with him.
He also said that Mr Sharaz had sent the redacted document to journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
A court heard a statement purporting to be from Ms Higgins, which her lawyer Rachael Young read out during her plea, but which was not written by her (pictured Brittany Higgins with her husband David Sharaz)
A court has been told that a speech by Brittany Higgins was edited by Sky News presenter Peta Credlin (pictured)
“The idea that statements made by Ms Higgins following The Project interview and (News.com.au reporter Samantha) Maiden’s article confirm her motive for making those statements … should be treated with caution because what appears to be Ms Higgins’ voice was the voice of people who jumped on the bandwagon,” Mr Bennett said.
Ms. Young concluded her argument in Ms. Higgins’ defense by stating that the senator had repeatedly stated that she was protecting Ms. Higgins’ agency in defense of her handling of the alleged rape.
“But Ms. Higgins had no say whatsoever when she was raped on the couch in Senator Reynolds’ private office in March 2019,” she said.
Ms Young read an extract from Ms Higgins’ statement, in which she said she had again contacted the Australian Federal Police and would be making a formal complaint about her alleged rape.
Linda Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett (pictured with Senator Reynolds on Tuesday) told a Perth court that a statement purporting to be from Ms Higgins was not written by her
Ms Higgins also said: ‘The Prime Minister has repeatedly told Parliament that I must now have more say.’
‘I do not believe that I have been given that authority in the last two years, but I am taking advantage of it now and have informed the Prime Minister’s Office that I expect a voice in determining the scope and terms of reference for a new and important inquiry into the employment conditions of all ministerial and parliamentary staff.
‘From the outset, I was driven by the desire to ensure that no one else has to endure the trauma I endured during my time in Parliament House.
“I have been disappointed repeatedly, but I now have my voice and I am determined to use it to ensure this never happens to another member of staff again.”
The trial continues on Wednesday, when Mr Bennett will deliver his closing remarks.