‘Extreme’ Media Attention Delays Trial of Brittany Higgins’ Rape Allegation, Justice Says

Brittany Higgins and Lisa Wilkinson attend the marie claire International Women's Day breakfast at est. on March 08, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The trial of the man accused of sexually assaulting former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has been delayed after television host Lisa Wilkinson praised Higgins in her acceptance speech at an Australian TV award.

Australian Captial Territory Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucy McCallum on Tuesday said the “extreme” media attention around the matter would undermine a fair trial and has forced her to set back the trial date of June 27 “regrettably and with gritted teeth.”