Major update in Brittany Higgins and Linda Reynolds’ defamation case
A trial date has been set for the high-profile libel battle between Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds and her former political staffer Brittany Higgins.
The former defense secretary, who plans to retire at the next election, is suing Ms Higgins over a series of social media posts she says have damaged her reputation.
Mediation failed to resolve the matter. The case returned to the Supreme Court of Western Australia for a hearing on Wednesday.
A trial date of August 2 was agreed, with the case lasting four to five weeks to accommodate more than 20 witnesses and the dates of parliamentary hearings.
Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison could be called as a witness, the senator’s lawyer said earlier, along with other members of the federal Liberal Party, including Senators Michaelia Cash and Wendy Askew.
Although a trial date has been set, the parties may choose to attempt mediation again to resolve the matter.
Senator Reynolds said last week she was determined to get justice for the alleged defamation and that Ms Higgins’ claims had “taken a huge toll on my mental and physical health”.
Brittany Higgins (pictured) is being sued by her former boss over a series of social media posts
She said it was essential that all parties accept Federal Court Judge Michael Lee’s findings regarding Bruce Lehrmann “so that the many people who have been harmed by this entire saga can receive justice and peace.”
She also said it was possible a settlement could still be reached and called on Ms Higgins to admit she was wrong and apologise.
Judge Lee ruled in April in Lehrmann’s defamation case against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
On the balance of probabilities, he determined that Lehrmann had indeed raped Ms. Higgins, but that the accusation of a political cover-up “contained objectively few facts but much speculation.”
Linda Reynolds (pictured) returns to court in August for her libel trial against her former political associate
Lehrmann is appealing against the Federal Court’s decision.
Senator Reynolds also sued Mr Sharaz for defamation, but he announced in April that he would no longer fight the case and agreed to a verdict.
The former minister claimed he had also defamed her in a series of social media posts.
Mr Sharaz was ordered to delete three tweets, a Facebook post and an Instagram story from 2022 and 2023.
The damages Mr Sharaz will have to pay following his confession will be determined after Ms Higgins’ defamation trial.
Lehrmann denies the accusation of sexual abuse. His criminal trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and Ms Higgins’ mental health was cited as the reason for the lack of a retrial.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redressal Support Service 1800 211 028