Lisa Wilkinson files defence in Bruce Lehrmann rape defamation lawsuit

The veteran broadcaster has hit back at Bruce Lehrmann’s claims she was ‘recklessly indifferent’ as to the truth of Brittany Higgins’ allegations and the defamatory imputations he says they conveyed.

Journalist Lisa Wilkinson will fight defamation proceedings alleging she was “recklessly indifferent” as to whether Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations against former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann were true or false when she interviewed Ms Higgins on national television in February 2021.

Mr Lehrmann launched defamation action last month against Network Ten and Ms Wilkinson, along with News Corp journalist Samantha Maiden and News Life Media Ltd, the publisher of news.com.au alleging both media outlets defamed him in separate publications detailing allegations Mr Lehrmann sexually assaulted Ms Higgins in the Parliament House office of former Liberal Minister Linda Reynolds in March 2019.

Mr Lehrmann has denied the allegations.

He was put on trial in the ACT Supreme Court in October last year but the charge was dropped after a juror’s misconduct was discovered by security guards.

In a statement of claim filed with the Federal Court on Wednesday, Mr Lehrmann’s legal team acknowledged that while neither media outlet had named their client in their respective publications, they would argue he was “reasonably identifiable” to friends, politicians and political associates.

Lisa Wilkinson will fight defamation proceedings brought about by Bruce Lehrmann. Picture: Nigel Hallett

In seeking damages, Mr Lehrmann claimed he had been “greatly injured in his personal and professional reputation” by the publication of Ms Higgins’ allegations against him.

He also claimed both media outlets and their respective journalists were “recklessly indifferent to the truth or falsity of the [defamatory] imputations” when publishing the assertions, and failed to give him the opportunity to respond to them.

Bruce Lehrmann outside the Magistrates Court in Canberra, with his lawyers. Picture: Gary Ramage

Ms Wilkinson, who is the first of the parties to file a response in the proceedings, labelled Mr Lehrmann’s allegations of recklessness against her “baseless, unjustified [and] unsupported by any fact” and said they should be withdrawn.

She also rejected claims she had failed to give Mr Lehrmann the right of reply to the allegations, noting Network Ten had sent emails with an extensive list of questions to his personal and professional email addresses, along with a follow-up text message, in the days before the segment aired on The Project.

Meanwhile, Lehrmann’s lawyers will seek to have a one-year limitation period for bringing defamation proceedings extended, given the publications the subject of the lawsuit occurred two years ago.

Ms Wilkinson’s written response to the proceedings notes she will oppose an extension.

It also indicates if the case does proceed, she will raise the defences of truth and qualified privilege.