Man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins at Parliament House faces court

The man charged with sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins has pleaded not guilty after his matter was mentioned in court for the first time.

Queensland man Bruce Lehrmann has entered a plea of not guilty to sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in 2019.

Mr Lehrmann did not appear before the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, where his lawyer Warwick Korn entered the plea on his behalf.

Ms Higgins came forward in February this year alleging she had been assaulted in the office of then Defence Minister Linda Reynolds on March 23, 2019. Mr Lehrmann denies the claim.

He faces a charge of sexual intercourse without consent, being reckless as to whether Ms Higgins had consented.

Bruce Lehrmann’s lawyer has entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Picture: Supplied.

“I am instructed to enter a plea of not guilty,” Mr Korn told the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Prosecutor Shane Drumgold SC said the brief of evidence had already been served in the matter, meaning the usual 10-week period to prepare it was not needed.

Mr Korn requested a four-week adjournment for the defence and prosecution to ensure “the briefs (of evidence) we had line up”.

The matter was adjourned to October 14, when Mr Lehrmann is likely to be committed for trial in the Supreme Court.

Magistrate Beth Campbell said Mr Lehrmann, who is currently in Queensland, would have to appear at the committal either remotely or in person.

Brittany Higgins has alleged she was sexually assaulted at Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Ms Higgins’ allegations — about the assault itself and how it was handled by the Morrison government — triggered a national conversation about how sexual assault complaints are handled in the workplace.

Tens of thousands took to the streets to rally as part of the national March 4 Justice calling for better workplace protections.

ACT Police said a report of the alleged assault was first received in April 2019, and the investigation remained open until a formal complaint was made in February 2021.

“Detectives have since spoken to a number of witnesses and collected evidence as part of the investigation,” police said in August.

In a statement earlier this year Mr Lehrmann’s lawyer said he “absolutely and unequivocally denies that any form of sexual activity took place at all”. Picture: Supplied

The charge Mr Lehrmann is facing carries a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment.

In a statement in August, one of Mr Lehrmann’s lawyers said his client would unequivocally reject the allegation.

“My client absolutely and unequivocally denies that any form of sexual activity took place at all,’’ the statement said.

“He will defend the charge.”

Ms Higgins has granted permission to NCA NewsWire to be identified as the alleged victim in Mr Lehrmann’s court matter.

Originally published as Man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins at Parliament House faces court