Former star of The Project, Lisa Wilkinson is preparing to defend herself against a defamation lawsuit filed by former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann.
Lehrmann alleges that he was identified as the man accused of raping his then-colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House.
Lehrmann claims that Wilkinson and Channel Ten were “recklessly indifferent to the truth or falsity” of the allegations made in an interview with Higgins on The Project in February 2021, which he believes were defamatory and caused significant harm to his reputation.
In a defence filed with the Federal Court of Australia, Wilkinson admitted that if the broadcast identified Lehrmann, it carried the defamatory imputation that he raped Higgins.
However, she denies that he was “reasonably identified by any viewer” and argues that the imputation is substantially true.
If the lawsuit proceeds, Wilkinson plans to rely partially on the substantive truth of the rape allegation, as well as the defence of statutory qualified privilege.
Lehrmann is seeking to extend the limitation period for the defamation case, which is usually one year, until last month when the claim was filed. Wilkinson’s lawyers have sought to block this application, and if it is allowed to go ahead, she will argue that the allegations made in the interview are substantially true.
Wilkinson has denied Lehrmann’s claims that the interview was sensationalised and that he was not given a chance to respond. She says that Lehrmann was contacted in the days before the interview through messages to his mobile phone and work and personal emails.
The former Liberal staffer argues that a series of details in the interview were enough to identify him to a range of people, but Wilkinson disputes this claim.
The case has attracted significant media attention, as it relates to a high-profile allegation of rape in the heart of Australian democracy. Brittany Higgins alleges that she was raped by a colleague in the office of then-Defence Minister Linda Reynolds in 2019.
Lehrmann’s identity was eventually published by multiple media outlets when he was charged with one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
The case has led to widespread calls for greater accountability and transparency in Australian politics.
Lehrmann has always denied the allegations against him and maintained his innocence. His criminal trial in the ACT Supreme Court was derailed in October due to juror misconduct, and the prosecutor later dropped the charges due to the impacts a second trial would have on Higgins’ mental health.
