Former Western Australian (WA) Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds has won a defamation trial against alleged sexual assault victim Brittany Higgins.
Reynolds was awarded $315,000 (US$204,000) and $26,109 in interest.
Reynolds launched the defamation case against Higgins after a series of social media posts she claimed was damaging to her reputation.
Higgins, who alleged she was raped by fellow parliamentary staffer Bruce Lehrmann in Reynolds’ office in 2019, did not give evidence during the trial for medical reasons.
Justice Tottle found a Jan. 22 Twitter post by Higgins and husband David Shiraz was defamatory as it alleged Reynolds pressured Higgins not to proceed with a sexual assault complaint, while also imputing that Reynolds was hypocritical despite her advocacy for women.
Another post dated July 4, 2023, alleged Reynolds had harassed Higgins, that she had mishandled Higgins’ rape allegation, and that she had engaged in “questionable conduct” during Lehrmann’s aborted trial.
Justice Tottle found all three claims made in the social media post defamatory.
The court also upheld a claim from Reynolds that Higgins had breached a contract requiring parties not to make critical or adverse comments regarding each other.
Another post made by Higgins claiming Reynolds wanted to silence sexual assault victims was found to be defamatory, however Justice Tottle accepted the defendant’s legal argument around honest opinion, fair comment and qualified privilege. That claim failed.
Another claim Reynolds made around Higgins’ conspiring with media was also rejected and Reynolds failed in a bid to seek an injunction against Higgins.
Speaking outside court, Reynolds told reporters she felt both relieved and vindicated.
“However, it is disappointing that it took four-and-a-half years, multiple court actions and millions of dollars,” she said.
Reynolds said the claims had impacted her life and her wellbeing.
“This has been an incredibly emotionally and financially taxing journey but I never gave up on the truth and on seeking justice,” she said.
The former senator had been the topic of debate in the Senate, including being accused of a “cover-up” by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“This action was always about the dishonest and devastating attack of my reputation,” Reynolds said.
“Those lies cost me my reputation. It cost me my health and my career.”
