Former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach sues Seven for defamation

An ex-Spotlight producer who gave explosive evidence in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case is now suing Channel Seven for defamation.

Former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach is suing the Seven Network for defamation after he gave explosive evidence in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case.

Mr Auerbach commenced defamation proceedings against his former employer in the federal court on Friday, records show. Documents in the case have not yet been made public by the court.

It comes after lawyers for Mr Auerbach last year sent concerns notices, the necessary first step before defamation proceedings can commence, to Seven regarding comments purportedly made by a number of the network’s key executives.

Mr Auerbach gave explosive evidence in Mr Lehrmann’s defamation trial against Network 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson over stories alleging the former Liberal staffer raped colleague Brittany Higgins inside Parliament House in 2019.

Taylor Auerbach leaves the federal court. Picture: Nikki Short/NCA NewsWire

After the rape trial was abandoned, Mr Auerbach secured an exclusive interview with Mr Lehrmann for the Spotlight program.

Bombshell claims emerged during the defamation case, with Mr Auerbach giving evidence that Seven had reimbursed Mr Lehrmann for the cost of cocaine and sex workers.

It also emerged that Seven had spent around $100,000 paying Mr Lehrmann’s rent for a year to secure the interview.

Justice Michael Lee ultimately dismissed Mr Lehrmann’s case, finding on the balance of probabilities that he did rape Ms Higgins.

Mr Lehrmann has denied the claims. He has not been found guilty of any criminal offence.

Mr Auerbach’s evidence about the circumstances surrounding the Spotlight interview was relevant to Mr Lehrmann’s credibility.

In his judgement, Justice Lee noted Mr Auerbach’s evidence that he “became Mr Lehrmann’s ‘babysitter’ or ‘minder’ as the Seven Network worked to secure an exclusive interview”.

“At some stage, it appears Mr Auerbach was discomforted in being placed in this role, but he nonetheless performed it, sometimes, it appears, ardently,” he said.

Bruce Lehrmann on Spotlight. Picture: Seven

Justice Lee said it was “fair to conclude that Mr Lehrmann was less than candid in his account of the extent of the benefits he received prior to, and exchange for, his bargain to participate in giving exclusive interviews to the Seven Network”.

“It is fair to remark that the evidence reveals that some of the pre-compact inducements and consideration flowing in the direction of one contractual counterparty was of an unorthodox and undocumented kind,” he said.

Justice Lee noted that Mr Auerbach, whose contract with Seven was not renewed, held “general resentment” over how he was treated for the Spotlight program and that he “laid the allegations on thick against a variety of persons”, although the “allegations of improper conduct against his erstwhile work colleagues” were largely irrelevant to the case.

In the wake of that scandal, senior Seven executives made a range of public statements to defend the conduct of the broadcaster.

Mr Auerbach is suing Seven for defamation. Picture: Instagram

Lawyers for Mr Auerbach last year sent concerns notices to the network alleging he had been defamed by statements published to the ABC’s Media Watch program, with a subsequent notice naming outgoing Seven chief executive James Warburton, Kerry Stokes’ longstanding right-hand man Bruce McWilliam and producer and blogger Robert McKnight.

Among the alleged defamatory statements was a note sent by Mr Warburton to staff on April 4, 2024 saying the claims that had emerged were not part of the broadcaster’s culture.

“Seven is appalled by the allegations made in court in recent days,” he said.

“We do not condone the behaviours described in these allegations. They do not reflect the culture of Seven.

Seven Network has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach sues Seven for defamation