Brittany Higgins is accused of not returning Linda Reynolds’ black and white Carla Zampatti jacket, which she borrowed from the minister’s wardrobe the morning after she was allegedly assaulted.
Ms Higgins alleged that her former colleague Bruce Lehrmann raped her in Senator Reynolds’ office at Parliament House in the early hours of March 23, 2019. Mr Lehrmann strongly denies the accusation.
Security footage played in front of a court showed Mrs. Higgins entering the office around 1:00 am that morning wearing a white dress. It also showed that she left at about 10 a.m. the next morning – wearing the designer jacket.
Radio host Ben Fordham revealed Wednesday morning that Senator Reynolds claims she never got the jacket back.
Carla Zampatti jackets are normally priced at over $1000.
The 2GB host also said Sen. Reynolds plans to refer Ms. Higgins’ payout, worth up to $3 million, to a new federal anti-corruption agency — and raised questions about why the hefty claim was upheld while it was never filed in court.
The new developments come as Chancellor of the Exchequer Katy Gallagher doubled down on her claims that she ‘played no part’ in Ms Higgins’ compensation package – even though it was her finance department that authorized the payment.
Brittany Higgins is pictured leaving Parliament House at about 10 a.m. on March 23, 2019 — wearing Senator Reynolds’ Carla Zampatti jacket
Linda Reynolds (pictured) reportedly intends to refer Ms. Higgins’ damages claim to a federal anti-corruption agency
On Wednesday morning, Fordham addressed the planned referral of the payment to a federal anti-corruption agency: “For the agency to investigate this, someone has to refer it.”
“If nobody else does it, Linda Reynolds will,” he told listeners.
Fordham pointed to the fact that Mr. Lehrmann’s rape trial in the ACT High Court was aborted on December 1 by ACT’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Shane Drumgold.
Mr Drumgold said the case could not proceed due to concerns over Ms Higgins’ mental health.
However, hours later, Ms. Higgins’ lawyers reportedly drafted a draft damages claim against the Commonwealth and two of her former bosses, Senator Reynolds and Senator Michaelia Cash.
Ms. Higgins intended to sue for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, negligence and victimization.
The claim was expected to be worth approximately $3 million, including $2.5 million for future economic loss, past economic loss of nearly $100,000 and general damages of $100,000.
Brittany Higgins is pictured the night she entered the House of Parliament on March 23, 2019. She entered wearing a white dress
Brittany Higgins is pictured with her boyfriend, David Sharaz, who knew Treasury Secretary Katy Gallagher
The settlement was reached after just one day of mediation and the terms were confidential.
Fordham said on Wednesday: “Linda Reynolds’ response was, ‘hold on, why is Brittany suddenly ready for mediation when we were told hours earlier that she was having a mental health crisis?’
“Linda Reynolds also wanted to know why there was a plan to go ahead with mediation when no civil claim for damages had been filed with the court.”
Fordham said Senator Reynolds and Senator Cash were not involved in the mediation session, even though the claim was partially against them.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Higgins and Senator Reynolds for comment.
Earlier on Wednesday, Senator Katy Gallagher answered questions on Radio National about the compensation claim – and whether she was friends with Ms Higgins’ partner David Sharaz.
Senator Gallagher says she was not involved in Ms. Higgins’ compensation claim
The host, Hamish McDonald, said: “Your name has been mentioned in several reports over the past few days regarding Brittany Higgins’ allegations in an audio recording that her partner David Sharaz said: ‘I’ve had a friend go into labour, Katy Gallagher “. ‘
“I want to give you the opportunity to respond unofficially – are you comfortable with that association and that description?”
Senator Gallagher said, “Look, I have nothing more to add to this, Hamish.
“I have been very clear with those reporting this story about my responsibilities and how they relate.
“It has been raised specifically in connection with a settlement or compensation package involving Ms. Higgins and that I had absolutely no part in that, and I think that’s all I have to say.
McDonald then asked if she was friends with Mr Sharaz – to which she replied: ‘I knew Mr Sharaz from my previous position – he was a journalist here in Canberra when I was Prime Minister so I knew him but I have nothing else to add. .’