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Bruce Lehrmann’s rape of Brittany Higgins has dragged in dozens of people, almost all of them damaged by the scandal and its fallout.
By Rick Morton.Every player in the Lehrmann scandal
Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins. What it took to establish this, at least on the balance of probabilities, was an appalling five-year saga that has embroiled dozens of people. This week, the Federal Court of Australia’s Justice Michael Lee called it an “omnishambles”. The following is an account of some of the people affected by Lehrmann’s actions that night in March 2019.
Nicky Hamer Worked with Brittany Higgins and Bruce Lehrmann in the office of Senator Linda Reynolds.
Threatened to resign in an early March 2019 email to Reynolds over the behaviour of Bruce Lehrmann at a pub, when he took Higgins’s phone and refused to give it back so she couldn’t leave drinks. Was later called to give evidence.
Nick Higgins’s date from the app Bumble on the night of March 22, 2019
Higgins said Nick was bullied by those present that night, but, according to Justice Lee’s judgement, he seems to have been “forsaken like a shag on a rock”.
Nikola Anderson Former Parliament House security guard
Led Higgins and Lehrmann to Linda Reynolds’s ministerial suite and later performed a welfare check, only to find a naked Higgins in a state of confusion on the couch. Anderson spoke to the ABC’s Four Corners about the incident and suffered internal pushback for doing so. She no longer works at Parliament House.
Ben Dillaway Former ministerial adviser to Steve Ciobo
Ex-boyfriend of Higgins, to whom she disclosed, as a close friend, what had happened in the suite. Two thousand pages of text messages between the pair, most of which were never featured in the criminal trial, were later handed over by Bruce Lehrmann to journalists at Channel Seven.
David Sharaz Former public servant, journalist
Started a relationship with Higgins in May 2020 and became the “conduit” between Higgins and the media. Justice Lee noted a distinct change in the nature of Higgins’s allegations after Sharaz became involved but said references to him as a “Svengali-like” figure were overstated. Higgins wanted her story told; Sharaz made the approaches and assisted in the strategy. The couple are now engaged.
Fiona Brown Former chief of staff to Linda Reynolds
Briefly held this role at the time Higgins was raped by Lehrmann, and endured vilification of both her character and conduct, to the detriment of her mental health. Justice Lee reserved time to vindicate Brown entirely, praising her meticulous notes and describing her as acting only in the service of Higgins’s welfare.
Linda Reynolds Former minister for defence industry and later defence
Called Higgins a “lying cow” in front of public servants, was sued and obliged to pay damages. Was accused during the criminal trial of attempting to coach the defence during cross-examination by texting Lehrmann’s lawyer, Steven Whybrow, SC, to suggest he look for messages between Higgins and Nicky Hamer. Whybrow described this as an “appalling mischaracterisation”. After the collapse of that trial and subsequent inquiry, Reynolds sued the ACT government for defamation and received a $90,000 settlement. She is currently suing both Higgins and Sharaz for defamation. Her team compelled the couple to travel to Perth from France for separate mediation processes, while Reynolds’s lawyers are seeking an order to freeze Higgins’s European assets.
Robert Reid Husband of Linda Reynolds
Attended the criminal trial until his presence became the subject of a furore. The inferences drawn from this, that he relayed Higgins’s testimony to his wife, were denied and formed part of the case on which Reynolds received a settlement from the ACT government.
Daniel Try Former chief of staff to then attorney-general Michaelia Cash
Was twice secretly recorded by Brittany Higgins in the weeks before her interview on Channel Ten’s The Project. The recordings were played in the trial, although Try was himself unable to appear. In one, he says he and Cash had “really tried to make sure that we can do everything” to help Higgins.
Michaelia Cash Liberal senator, former attorney-general
Covertly recorded by Higgins as she and Daniel Try attempted to either keep Higgins in her job in the attorney-general’s department or, if she decided to go home to Queensland, find her work there. Cash denied knowing about the rape allegation until it became public in February 2021. Higgins contends that Cash knew in October 2019, when a media inquiry from a Canberra Times journalist was circulated through the offices. Cash’s final words in person to Higgins just days before The Project aired were, “Now go give that puddy cat some love.”
Scott Morrison Former prime minister and secret holder of six ministries
Presided over a network of staff who denied knowing about the Higgins rape until The Project made inquiries days before going to air in February 2021. Invoked his daughters when responding to Higgins’s allegations, then asked his former chief of staff Phil Gaetjens to launch an investigation.
Phil Gaetjens Former secretary to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Began an investigation. It is not clear that the investigation team interviewed anybody. It was suspended when Lehrmann was charged, and any findings were never released.
Detective Superintendent Scott Moller, Senior Constable Emma Frizzell, Detective Leading Senior Constable Trent Madders, Detective Sergeant Gareth Saunders, Detective Sergeant Jason McDevitt, Detective Inspector Marcus Boorman, Commander Michael Chew Members of Operation Covina
These ACT Policing officers were engaged after Higgins made a formal complaint in February 2021. They were, to varying degrees, embroiled in accusations they did not believe Brittany Higgins or acquiesced to a political cover-up. The first part was mostly true, officers conceded, but that didn’t change how the investigation unfolded or influence any decision to charge Lehrmann. Several took stress leave in the course of the investigation. Detective Superintendent Moller’s diary and briefing notes were leaked to Janet Albrechtsen at The Australian.
Janet Albrechtsen Columnist for The Australian newspaper
Pitched herself as a cheerleader for the rule of law and instead became a cheerleader for a rapist. Wrote, apparently without irony, an article headlined “Justice Michael Lee puts all in their place” after his judgement was read out.
Steve Whybrow Counsel for Bruce Lehrmann
Had the Lehrmann case so long his wife gave him an ultimatum: “You choose Bruce or you choose me.” Having worked pro bono during the criminal trial, he finished with the matter post defamation judgement, and stated that he has not read the judgement. “Think of it as a 300-page book that you got prescribed in year 11 for a subject that you’re sick of.”
Samantha Maiden Chief political reporter for News.com.au
Broke the Brittany Higgins story on the morning of February 15, 2021, ahead of The Project, by arrangement with David Sharaz. Maiden’s employer, News Corp, was also sued for defamation by Lehrmann but settled before the matter went to court.
Lisa Wilkinson Former co-host of the Ten Network program The Project
Handpicked by David Sharaz to run with Higgins’s story. Wilkinson’s speech on accepting a Logie Award for this interview, which was legalled by the network’s in-house counsel, became a lightning rod for further controversy and led to her stepping down from hosting duties of the show. Wilkinson says she felt abandoned by the network and engaged separate counsel in her defence of the Lehrmann defamation suit. Justice Lee found The Project team failed in some basic elements of journalism, notably that it pushed an angle of political cover-up not supported by the facts. Wilkinson submitted that it wasn’t her story, she just read the script. She held a short doorstop after the judgement to say she had been vindicated.
Tasha Smithies Senior litigation counsel for Paramount Australia
Advised Wilkinson that there were no legal risks with her Logies speech. In evidence at the defamation trial, declined to accept there were any errors in her advice, despite having been involved in the preparation of a letter to an associate chief justice of the ACT apologising on behalf of the network for any interference in the criminal trial, which was subsequently aborted.
Angus Llewellyn Producer with The Project
Received a text from Wilkinson about a “huge” story. Attended a five-hour meeting at a hotel near the Ten Network offices with Wilkinson, Higgins and Sharaz. Emailed questions to Lehrmann’s Hotmail account on the Friday before the Monday interview aired. Experienced the ugly ordeal of watching his own journalism picked over while giving evidence. Described by Justice Lee as a “less than satisfactory witness”.
Andrew Carswell Press secretary of then prime minister Scott Morrison
Phoned Channel 10 after The Project aired and started the conversation with “What the fuck was that?” Asserted the program had just ruined a woman’s life – referring to Fiona Brown, not Brittany Higgins. Now a columnist for a new publication called The Nightly, which is owned by Seven West Media’s Kerry Stokes.
Katy Gallagher Minister for Finance
Referred to as a “friend” by David Sharaz, who drew her into a political fight following the revelation of his text to Higgins that “Katy … is really invested now”. Has strenuously denied any involvement in the development or approval of a $2.4 million deed of settlement with Higgins, which released the Commonwealth from any potential claims but, pointedly, not senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash.
Shane Drumgold Former ACT director of public prosecutions
Ran the criminal trial prosecution of Lehrmann. After the trial was abandoned over juror misconduct and before he decided not to go again, citing concerns for Higgins’s mental health, Drumgold wrote to ACT Policing alleging a political cover-up, which sparked a board of inquiry led by Walter Sofronoff, KC. Resigned from his job after that inquiry, but later contested its findings.
Walter Sofronoff, KC Head of the ACT government board of inquiry
Had frequent communications with journalists throughout the course of the inquiry into the handling of Lehrmann’s rape trial, including “273 interactions” with The Australian’s Janet Albrechtsen. Drumgold launched a successful case in the ACT Supreme Court arguing the inquiry was biased, and the presiding judge, Stephen Kaye, found any “fair-minded observer” would view Sofronoff as having been influenced by Albrechtsen’s views. Is now the subject of an ACT Integrity Commission investigation.
Mark Dreyfus Attorney-General
Signed the Higgins deed of settlement, after almost a year of mediation. A complaint by Linda Reynolds has now seen the matter referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which was established by Dreyfus.
Taylor Auerbach Former producer on Channel Seven’s Spotlight program
Became “babysitter” for Bruce Lehrmann in an attempt to woo him for a major paid interview. Ended up claiming he paid for sex workers on the corporate credit card. Texted his then friend Steve Jackson, a supervising producer on the program to say, “This is fucked.” Is now the subject of a police complaint from a former Sydney socialite for circulating pictures of her semi-naked in a successful attempt to ruin Jackson’s career. Has been fired from his latest role at Sky News Australia.
Steve Jackson Former producer on Spotlight
Suggested ways for Auerbach to reverse charges of Thai massages on the corporate credit card, and deployed Google Translate to discover the Thai phrase for “we pay cash instead”. Had major falling out with Auerbach, resigned to take up a $300,000 a year job as chief spinner for the NSW Police Force commissioner. Was terminated from that role after Auerbach’s revelations.
Mark Llewellyn Executive producer on Spotlight
Took photos of untendered evidence from the criminal trial on a laptop used by Lehrmann in an apartment rented for Lehrmann and paid for by the Seven Network – in which Llewellyn’s reflection was visible, including wristwatch and bald head. Apparently told the network’s lawyers there were no relevant emails or messages to hand over under subpoena to the defamation trial. No longer works for Channel Seven.
Kerry Stokes Chairman of Seven West Media, which includes the Seven Network
Has now been on the losing side of serial defamation cases. His company has a habit of attempting public rehabilitation of the worst men and then making matters worse.
James Warburton former Seven West Media chief executive
Resigned with immediate effect after Seven’s board meeting on Thursday. Was due to leave in June having presided over the media company through a series of scandals, including issues related to expenses. His successor is the company’s chief financial officer, Jeff Howard.
John Macgowan Political consultant
Became media point man for Lehrmann in negotiations with the Seven Network. Was asked to “get bags” of cocaine. Is now a consultant “who helps people solve (and cause) weird problems”. Denied being a drug dealer which, in his own words, would represent a higher reward, lower risk job than his current career. Is no longer friends with Lehrmann.
Lyndon Biernoff Toowoomba businessman
Offered terrible legal advice in advance of the criminal trial. Is the multi-level marketing millionaire friend of Lehrmann’s mother, and a success coach.
Greta Sinclair Former girlfriend of Lehrmann
Dumped Lehrmann in 2021 after the rape allegations went public.
Paul Farrell Sydney businessman
Lent Lehrmann a room in his house after Channel Seven’s rental term expired. The house was used by Lehrmann for parties and bad karaoke. Said it “basically ruined my life”.
Bettina Arndt Men’s rights activist
Forced to book a new keynote speaker for the “Restoring the Presumption of Innocence” conference sponsored by Arndt’s organisation Mothers of Sons. Lehrmann pulled out after losing his presumption of innocence.
Justice Michael Lee Federal Court judge
Presided over the Lehrmann defamation trial. Endured a recounting of the worst aspects of this case and is perhaps the only person to emerge from the saga with his dignity intact.
Bruce Lehrmann Former Liberal Party staffer
Raped Brittany Higgins in the ministerial suite of Linda Reynolds in the early hours of Saturday, March 23, 2019. Is also a liar.
Brittany Higgins Former Liberal Party staffer
Was raped by Bruce Lehrmann in the ministerial suite of Linda Reynolds in the early hours of March 23, 2019.
This piece was modified on April 22, 2024, to clarify that Higgins’s mediation with the commonwealth lasted almost a year.
This article was first published in the print edition of The Saturday Paper on April 20, 2024 as "Every player in the Lehrmann scandal".
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