Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been named among the high-profile witnesses called to give evidence in WA Liberal senator Linda Reynolds’ high-stakes defamation trial against former staffer Brittany Higgins.
The WA Supreme Court was today told Morrison had filed and signed a witness outline ahead of the defamation trial to commence in late July.
Senator Linda Reynolds arriving at court today with her lawyer, Martin Bennett.Credit: Jesinta Burton
The court was told the bundle of evidence adduced by Reynolds’ legal team would also contain sworn evidence from WA senator Michaelia Cash and her former chief of staff.
Cash’s attendance in person will hinge on parliamentary sitting dates, with Higgins’ lawyers continuing a push to delay the slated July 24 start date to accommodate new WA-based counsel.
Outside court, Reynolds’ lawyer, Martin Bennett, told the waiting press pack Morrison was expected to be overseas at the time of the trial, but was prepared to give evidence remotely if required.
And Reynolds, who made a surprise appearance at court, mentioned Morrison by name while sharing her gratitude to her former parliamentary colleagues for their support.
In 2021, Higgins alleged she was raped in Reynolds’ parliamentary office by her colleague Bruce Lehrmann – a claim Lehrmann has long denied. Lehrmann is appealing a decision by Federal Court Justice Michael Lee in an April 2024 civil defamation case that, on the balance of probabilities, he did rape Higgins. A rape charge against him was withdrawn in after his 2022 criminal trial was aborted due to juror misconduct.
Reynolds, the former boss of Lehrmann and Higgins, has faced years of criticism over her handling of Higgins’ rape allegation.
The senator said the ongoing fallout had a significant impact on her and others, with her medical professionals among those expected to take the witness stand.
“I need to clear my name finally, after well over three years … so many people have been so damaged by this,” Reynolds said.