Brittany Higgins statement: Ex-Liberal staffer seeks $1million compensation ... trends now
Brittany Higgins could receive up to $1million in compensation as the former Liberal staffer broke her silence days after the sexual assault case she was a complainant in was sensationally abandoned.
Ms Higgins took to Instagram on Sunday to reiterate the same statement she made outside a Canberra court in October after a juror triggered a mistrial.
Former political staffer Ms Higgins had alleged Bruce Lehrmann, a colleague at the time, had raped her inside minister Linda Reynolds' Parliament office in March 2019 - an allegation he has continuously denied.
After the first trial collapsed due to jury misconduct, a second had been scheduled to go ahead next year - however the charge was dropped on Friday after warnings it could come at the cost of Ms Higgins' mental health.
Ms Higgins was in hospital on Friday when prosecutors confirmed a second trial would not be going ahead.
Ms Higgins thanked the court and its officers on Sunday who 'treated me with such respect when I was there'.
Brittany Higgins (pictured left in October) could receive up to $1million in compensation as the man originally charged with her alleged rape also seeks a significant payout
'I chose to speak up,' Ms Higgins wrote.
'To speak up and share my experience with others.'
Ms Higgins said her life had been 'publicly scrutinised, open for the world to see' as she said she knew 'the odds were stacked against me from the outset'.
'Most importantly, I want to thank the workers in our mental healthcare system, without whom, I literally would not be here today,' she wrote.
Ms Higgins also thanked the DPP - the team that pursued the case, her lawyers, family and her partner David Sharaz.
Ms Higgins' statement comes as her lawyers quietly seek compensation for the trial.
Sources who have seen the legal document claim Ms Higgins will seek compensation for lost earnings, future earnings and at-home support.
Mr Lehrmann (pictured in Canberra in October) is also seeking cash compensation, with his lawyers considering a Comcare claim, defamation action against media outlets, and unfair dismissal from the jobs he lost after the rape allegations emerged
The three respondents named for the claim are Senator Linda Reynolds, who was Ms Higgins' boss when the alleged rape occurred, Liberal frontbencher Michaelia Cash and the Commonwealth, news.com.au reports.
Ms Higgins' lawyer Leon Zwier, who supported the 28-year-old during her criminal case in Canberra, is aware of the claim.
Personal injury lawyer Noor Blumer, of Blumers Lawyers, has been negotiating the compensation claim since February.
An official claim has not been filed as parties prepare for mediation talks.
Ms Higgins has not worked full-time since she went public with her account of the alleged incident at Parliament House in February, 2021.
Mr Lehrmann is also seeking cash compensation, with his lawyers considering a Comcare claim, defamation action against media outlets, and unfair dismissal from the jobs he lost after the rape allegations emerged.
Ms Higgins (pictured) has not worked full-time since she went public with her account of the alleged
