Lindɑ Reynolds Wins Defamation Case Against Brittany Higgins, Calls for Government Accountability

Former Defence Minister Lindɑ Reynolds has declared that her “fight for truth” is finally over after a landmark defamation victory against Brittany Higgins, urging the Albanese Government to acknowledge the years of reputational damage she suffered. Reynolds’ case centered on social media posts by Higgins and her partner David Sharaz in 2022 and 2023, which Reynolds claimed had seriously affected her health, tarnished her reputation, and hindered her career.

In August, the Western Australian Supreme Court awarded Reynolds $315,000 in damages plus $26,000 in interest. Higgins was also ordered to pay 80 percent of Reynolds’ legal fees. Combined with her own legal costs, this amounts to an estimated $2 million, according to Justice Paul Tottle.

Reynolds told The Australian that she felt she “had no choice but to stand and fight” against what she described as a “huge and monstrous lie” that had derailed her career. “I believe the truth matters,” Reynolds said in a video statement. “It’s about standing for the truth because the allegations about me, Fiona, Michaela, Scott Morrison, and all of our staff were false. For me, it was about defending the truth.”

She emphasized that the court rulings now make the truth legally binding on Higgins, Sharaz, and even journalists who reported on the claims. “After five years, the fight for the truth is now out there,” Reynolds said.

Calls for Justice for Former Staff

Reynolds also highlighted the impact on her former chief of staff, Fiona Brown, who was named in Higgins’ allegations. Brown had supported Higgins after the alleged assault and arranged meetings with police. Reynolds described Brown as “a compassionate, capable, competent woman who has been badly damaged by these false claims.” She called for an apology and financial compensation for Brown, emphasizing that justice should extend beyond herself.

Reynolds explained that her decision to pursue the lengthy defamation battle was deeply personal and principled. “I have spent my entire adult life serving my nation — 35 years in the army, 11 years in the Senate — because I believe in democracy and my country,” she said. “When faced with these lies, it was like the ‘red pill’ or the ‘blue pill’ in *The Matrix.’ I couldn’t walk away. I had to fight, not just for me, but for others who were harmed by these false allegations. I want to give hope to women, particularly conservative women, that my experience won’t be theirs.”

Government Accountability Under Scrutiny

Despite her court victory, Reynolds warned that little has changed in Parliament. She has previously called for a parliamentary inquiry into whether senior Labor senators misled Parliament and weaponized Higgins’ claims under parliamentary privilege. Reynolds accused figures such as Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher of using privilege to amplify untested allegations, causing political damage and personal harm.

Speaking in 2021, Senators Wong and Gallagher had claimed the Morrison government engaged in a cover-up regarding Higgins’ rape allegation. Wong maintained that she did not know all details before the story became public, while Gallagher argued that the government’s handling of information had compounded Higgins’ trauma. Both rejected Reynolds’ claims that Labor had intentionally weaponized the allegations for political purposes.

Financial Consequences for Higgins and Sharaz

Following Reynolds’ win, Higgins and her husband Sharaz now face potential bankruptcy. Before the trial, Higgins had offered to contribute $200,000 toward Reynolds’ legal costs, with her parents covering additional fees, but Reynolds rejected the offer. The defamation trial concluded with Higgins issuing an apology to Reynolds.

The case centered on a tweet published by Higgins and Sharaz in January 2022. Justice Tottle found that the social media posts were defamatory, implying that Reynolds had engaged in a campaign of harassment, mishandled Higgins’ rape allegation, and acted questionably during Bruce Lehrmann’s aborted rape trial.

Background on Allegations

Higgins had alleged that Lehrmann, a former co-worker, raped her in Reynolds’ ministerial suite — claims Lehrmann has always denied. His criminal trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct. A separate federal court, overseeing a defamation case against Network Ten, found that Higgins had been raped in Parliament House, based on the balance of probabilities. Lehrmann is currently appealing that finding.

Reynolds’ Message

Reynolds emphasized that her fight was never only about herself. It was also about standing for the integrity of public office and protecting others from similar harm. She highlighted the toll false claims can take, not only on political figures but also on staff and colleagues who act responsibly. Reynolds’ victory marks a significant moment in Australian politics, sending a clear message about accountability, truth, and the consequences of spreading false claims on social media.

With her defamation victory now secured, Reynolds is calling on the Albanese Government to take responsibility for the reputational damage inflicted over years of misinformation, and for justice to be extended to those like Fiona Brown, who were unfairly targeted.