The Federal Court witnessed dramatic scenes as Bruce Lehrmann, the former political staffer at the centre of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations, faced intense cross-examination in his defamation case against Network Ten and journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
Lehrmann is suing for defamation over a February 2021 broadcast on The Project that featured Higgins' allegations of being raped in a ministerial office at Parliament House in 2019. While he wasn't named in the report, Lehrmann claims he was easily identifiable to many viewers.
Secret WhatsApp Messages Exposed
The courtroom tension peaked as Wilkinson's private WhatsApp messages were presented as evidence. In one particularly damaging exchange, the journalist allegedly wrote to Higgins: "We are going to be best friends. And we are going to change the f***ing world."
These messages form a crucial part of the defence's argument that Wilkinson and her producers had reasonable grounds to believe Higgins' account was true before airing the story.
Lehrmann's Credibility Challenged
Under fierce questioning from Ten's barrister, Matthew Collins KC, Lehrmann faced challenges to his credibility regarding his movements on the night in question. The court heard contrasting accounts of whether he returned to Parliament House with Higgins after a night of drinking.
Lehrmann maintained his position that he had no recollection of the alleged events, telling the court: "I don't have a memory of it because it didn't happen."
The High-Profile Legal Battle
This defamation case represents the latest chapter in a saga that has captivated Australia and triggered nationwide discussions about workplace culture in politics. The original criminal trial against Lehrmann was abandoned due to juror misconduct, leaving no findings against him.
The court also heard details about the extensive preparation that went into the broadcast, with Wilkinson and her team spending nearly a month verifying Higgins' account before airing the story.
As the case continues, all eyes remain on the Federal Court where this landmark defamation battle could have significant implications for Australian media and political accountability.
