Dwell
Brittany Higgins has reached a confidential settlement with the Commonwealth after the previous political staffer’s claims of sexual assault at Parliament Home.
Lawyer Noor Blumer, performing for Ms Higgins, issued a short assertion on Tuesday.
“At a mediation held right now, the Commonwealth and Ms Higgins settled her claims,” ​​Ms Blumer mentioned.
“On the request of Ms Higgins, the events have agreed that the phrases of the settlement are confidential.”
Earlier in December, Ms Higgins’ civil motion named three respondents in her motion: Senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Money in addition to the Commonwealth. Senator Reynolds is since believed to have been faraway from the declare.
The paperwork set out Ms Higgins’ intention to sue for sexual harassment, intercourse discrimination, incapacity discrimination, negligence, and victimisation.
On the time, the declare was anticipated to be value about $three million, together with $2.5 million for future financial loss, previous financial loss approaching $100,000 and normal damages of $100,000.
None of these figures had been talked about on Tuesday.
“The events welcome the very fact of the settlement,” Ms Blumer mentioned.
Ms Higgins alleges she was raped in 2019 by Bruce Lehrmann inside Senator Reynolds’ ministerial workplace, for whom they each labored as staffers.
Mr Lehrmann has persistently denied the allegation. His trial within the ACT Supreme Courtroom was derailed by juror misconduct. Prosecutors determined to not pursue additional motion.
Following the 2019 federal election, Ms Higgins moved to the workplace of then-employment minister Michaelia Money to work as a media advisor.
Mr Lehrmann can also be contemplating an insurance coverage declare and defamation motion.
