Susie O’Brien: The Lehrmann judgment exposes Lisa Wilkinson as a shameful opportunist

The Lehrmann judgment is a win for women, but it’s not a win for Lisa Wilkinson who has been exposed as a shameful opportunist and a dangerously biased activist.

The Lehrmann judgment is a win for women, but it’s not a win for Lisa Wilkinson.

It exposes her as a shameful opportunist and a dangerously biased journalist.

As judge Michael Lee forensically detailed on Monday, Wilkinson was a player in the action, not an impartial professional.

He made it clear her experience and status were at odds with her behaviour, particularly her reluctance to rigorously scrutinise all of the allegations from Brittany Higgins and subject them to an objective test.

Of course, this hasn’t stopped Wilkinson from trying to re-establish her credentials as the mouthpiece and saviour of all Australian women.

Within minutes of the judgment being read out, Wilkinson’s stratospheric ego was once again on full display: “I sincerely hope this judgment gives hope to women around the country,” she said.

Yes it does, but in part because it details the conceited and misguided role played by Wilkinson herself.

Lisa Wilkinson’s coverage played a key role in keeping Lehrmann out of jail. Picture Gaye Gerard

Defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou hugs Lisa Wilkinson. Picture: Don Arnold

Never one to miss an opportunity to stand in front of a microphone on a podium, Wilkinson again brought it all back to her: “I also want to say how grateful I am to all the generous members of the public who have approached me almost every single day to express — often through tears — their unwavering support,” she said.

The judge made it clear Wilkinson did not act like a journalist but an advocate for Higgins — a role she continued to play in the witness box.

Wilkinson has refused to concede that her infamous Logies speech — which praised Higgins’ “unwavering courage” — was a mistake.

That speech, let’s not forget, played a role in keeping Lehrmann out of jail.

Although it’s true that Wilkinson was let down by Channel Ten’s lawyers who cleared the speech, Wilkinson should have acted more like an experienced journalist than a champion for Higgins.

She should have known the speech, as Justice Lee said, was “fraught with danger”.

But what can we expect? Wilkinson had spent at least 18 months as Higgins’ biggest supporter and adviser.

Bruce Lehrmann was found to have raped Brittany Higgins on the balance of probabilities. Picture: Don Arnold

Justice Lee also made it clear Wilkinson was a willing lackey in the political sideshow concocted by Higgins and her partner David Sharaz.

This included buying into the hugely damaging notion of a cover-up within the office of Senator Linda Reynolds.

The judge said such a claim appeared to be a “glittering prize” but when examined properly was a “supposition without reasonable foundation”.

Network Ten may hail this verdict as a “triumph for truth” but it’s no triumph for Wilkinson, even though she may claim it is.

Rather, it’s a win for those who’ve felt profoundly let down by Lisa Wilkinson because it shows yet again she doesn’t deserve an elevated place in Australian public life or journalism.

Wilkinson has been paid $1.7m not to appear on the Project for the past 18 months.

This judgment, which questions her ethics and impartiality as a reporter, should ensure this is the end of her journalistic career.