Bruce Lehrmann set to appear in Queensland court on two counts of rape

Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann is expected to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday for a committal hearing over rape charges.

The two counts of rape are alleged to have occurred in the 29-year-old’s former hometown of Toowoomba, on Queensland’s Darling Downs, in October 2021.

During the hearing, the complainant in the matter is expected to be cross-examined by Mr Lehrmann’s lawyers.

The court has previously heard that the prosecution and defence have agreed upon the points of cross-examination for the hearing, which is set down for a half-day. 

The defence, at previous court appearances, has sought and received a data download from the complainant’s mobile phone, but no details of the allegations against Mr Lehrmann have yet been aired in open court.

First time appearing in person

This will be the first time the former political staffer, who worked in the Parliament House office of then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, has appeared in person at the Toowoomba court.

On all other occasions he has been excused from attendance.

Mr Lehrmann has so far not been required to enter a plea to the two charges, but it is understood he intends to plead not guilty.

Over a year since case first mentioned

The case was first mentioned in the court on January 11, 2023. 

The day before the court date, Queensland Police issued a media statement saying Toowoomba Criminal Investigation Branch detectives had charged a 27-year-old man with the alleged rape of a young woman in October 2021.

At that time, under old legislation, Mr Lehrmann could not be identified or named because Queensland laws prevented the identification of those facing prescribed sexual assault charges until after being committed for trial.

Those laws changed last October as part of the state government’s response to the landmark Hear Her Voice report, allowing identification of those charged with sexual assault before any committal to trial.

Later that month Mr Lehrmann’s lawyers sought a non-publication order, which was refused by a Toowoomba magistrate. 

A judicial review of the matter in the Supreme Court in Brisbane found the magistrate had not erred at law and ruled against any further non-publication order.

Justice Peter Applegarth found there was no compelling reason for a non-publication order to protect Mr Lehrmann’s safety.

For the first time since he was charged, Mr Lehrmann could then be named.