Australian court affirms woman's claim of being raped inside parliament, cancels defammation suit against her

Three years after the shocking rape allegation within Australia’s Parliament House, a civil court has upheld its truth, shedding light on a case that has captivated the nation.

Political staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who denied the allegation by Brittany Higgins, sued Network 10 for defamation over a 2021 TV interview where Higgins detailed the incident. Network 10 defended the interview’s accuracy, leading to a courtroom battle.

On Monday, a judge ruled in favor of Network 10, affirming the truth of Higgins’ allegation and condemning Lehrmann for “deliberate lies.” The court found Lehrmann responsible for raping Higgins and dismissed his defamation case.

During the trial, Higgins tearfully recounted waking up to find a colleague on top of her in a minister’s office in 2019, while Lehrmann claimed they had consensual sex after a night out drinking.

Federal Court Justice Michael Lee criticised Lehrmann’s behavior, stating he was “hellbent” on sex and indifferent to Higgins’ consent. The ruling marked the first legal verdict on a case that sparked national outrage, protests, and prompted a review of parliament’s culture.

The trial revealed extensive evidence, including witness testimony and analysis from a lip reader. Despite some criticism of Network 10 and Higgins, Justice Lee affirmed the credibility of Higgins’ core rape allegation.

In defamation trials, judges often allow reams of seemingly tangential evidence to help them make judgements on the credibility or character of witnesses.

Over five weeks, this trial heard from more than a dozen witnesses who gave at times bizarre evidence.

Outside the court, Network 10 presenter Lisa Wilkinson expressed relief for women in Australia, while the network hailed the judgment as “vindication” for Higgins.

With the defamation case dismissed, Lehrmann faces substantial legal costs, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of the verdict.