Inside Bruce Lehrmann’s rent-free apartment after Channel 7 interview deal
Photos have emerged from inside the beachside apartment Bruce Lehrmann was living in rent-free in exchange for his “bombshell” interview.
Bruce Lehrmann was installed in a beachside apartment complex with an in-ground pool and spa by the Seven Network in exchange for his “bombshell” interview.
News.com.au has confirmed that the first apartment paid for by Seven was an apartment in Maroubra, in Sydney’s east, with “amazing water and coastal views”.
He has now been moved by Seven to a new apartment in Sydney’s northern beaches that again has water views.
News.com.au understands the northern beaches abode that Mr Lehrmann is currently staying in was advertised this year for $2,500.
If that amount was multiplied over the year it would be worth $130,000 in rent for Mr Lehrmann.
However, it is understood that the original apartment in Maroubra cost less than that amount.
Seven News has not disclosed how much it has paid in rent to date.
A recent real estate listing for the apartment that was offered or leased in the original Maroubra complex boasted of a location “where life revolves around you”.
The property, located at Marine Parade, was billed as “an awesome place to live, with Maroubra Surf Beach and Mahon Rock Pool at your doorstep, restaurants, cafes, parks all close by”.
“Brand new boutique complex comprising a mixture of 3 bedroom townhouses, and 2 and 1 bedroom apartments. You will be the envy of your friends living here,’’ the listing stated.
“All townhouses and apartments have gourmet kitchens with top of the range appliances, stone bench tops, beautifully appointed bathrooms, built-in robes in all bedrooms, some with balconies and others with outdoor entertaining courtyards.”
Mr Lehrmann confirmed in evidence in the federal court on Tuesday that Channel 7’s Spotlight program has been paying his rent for a year as part of an arrangement to deliver a “bombshell” interview with host Liam Bartlett.
While news.com.au confirmed the location of the apartment, the location or value of the apartment was not disclosed in Federal Court. However, Lisa Wilkinson’s barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC said she “had the receipts” from subpoenas and discovery of documents in the trial.
Under the agreement, he also agreed to provide “all information, documents, video and photographs” reasonably requested by Seven.
However, Mr Lehrmann said he did not do this and only provided an interview.
In his evidence on Tuesday, Mr Lehrmann revealed the apartment news, confirming that Channel 7 had been paying for his rental accommodation after the exclusive interview aired in May 2023.
“And it was part of the agreement, isn’t it, that you were paid for 12 months of accommodation by Channel Seven?’’ barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC asked.
“Yes,’’ Mr Lehrmann replied.
“Yes, that’s what I get. For filming in those places.”
Ms Chrysanthou SC asked what he meant “for filming in those places”.
Mr Lehrmann replied that Seven did some of the filming for the program at the apartment – “the place I was in at the time”.
He said he did not know what the rent paid was worth.
“You don’t know how much you were paid,” Ms Chrysanthou said.
Mr Lehrmann replied that he had “never seen that”.
“Network Seven handles the accommodation arrangements,” he said.
Walkley Foundation reacts to payment relevation
Meanwhile, The Walkley Foundation released a statement on Tuesday night it was “considering its position” in relation to the Spotlight program that was finalist for Scoop of the Year. It did not win the award.
There are strict rules for entries that require the disclosure of payments for interviews.
“The Walkeys is aware of media reports of evidence given today by Mr Lehrmann regarding payment for accommodation connected with the 7News Spotlight interview that was a finalist for the ‘Scoop of the Year’ Walkley Award,’’ a spokesman said.
“The Walkley Foundation is considering its position.”
The terms and conditions state that entrants must declare any payments or benefits provided to third parties in connection with the work/s, including payments or material gifts given in exchange for interviews, information or access.
“This will not necessarily disqualify an entry – transparency is important for the judging process,’’ the rules state.
Spotlight interview
Reporter Liam Bartlett fronted the first television special with Mr Lehrmann, who was accused of the rape of Brittany Higgins at Parliament House.
Mr Lehrmann pleaded not guilty, was never convicted and the charge against him was dropped in December 2022. He maintains his innocence.
Executive producer Mark Llewellyn told news.com.au in May that the Seven Network had not paid Mr Lehrmann for the exclusive interview.
“No one was paid,” Mr Llewellyn told news.com.au.
“7NEWS Spotlight made no payment to Bruce Lehrmann for the interview, however the program assisted with accommodation as part of the filming of the story.”
In a statement, Seven host Liam Bartlett, who is overseas on assignment said that the network had previously noted it was assisting with accommodation costs.
“We said at the time we were assisting Bruce Lehrmann with his accommodation costs,’’ a spokeswoman said.
“It was well reported back then. The 7NEWS Spotlight report was rightfully judged by the esteemed Walkley Foundation as one of the top three scoops of 2023.”
A promo for the first television interview states: “Bruce Lehrmann has never told his side of the story. Not one, single word. Now, he’s breaking his silence.”
Mr Lehrmann was in the witness box again on Friday and Monday during the defamation trial against Lisa Wilkinson and Channel 10.
There, he admitted he lied to Bartlett about his reasons for lying to his chief of staff about why he was in his ministerial office with Ms Higgins on the night she alleges she was raped.
In promoting the program, the Seven network told viewers it was “no holds barred” and that “nothing was off limits”.
On Friday, the barrister Dr Collins KC played a tape of the Spotlight interview where Mr Lehrmann agreed the whiskey excuse to his chief of staff Fiona Brown was a lie.
“And it was put to you that you had lied about having gone back there to drink whiskey,’’ Dr Collins asked.
“Yes,’’ Mr Lehrmann replied.
“And you agreed that you’d lied,’’ Dr Collins said.
“Yes.”
Mr Lehrmann told Spotlight about his reasons for lying. He said he was worried about a previous “minor” security incident he was involved in and was concerned if he said he was doing work in the office at 2am he would be in more trouble than if he said he was drinking.
But on Monday, Mr Lehrmann conceded in cross examination that he “appeared” to have lied to Spotlight about his reasons for lying.
Dr Collins said that Ms Brown had not previously raised the other security incident before his notice of intention to terminate letter in April, and so that could not have been one of the reasons for lying.
“I can’t recall what my mindset was. That interview was very hastily arranged,’’ Mr Lehrmann said.
John’s “backup guy”
Meanwhile, Mr Lehrmann’s ex-mate John Macgowan has laughed off suggestions that the former Liberal staffer had a drug dealer listed in his phone as “John’s back up guy.”
“It gets to a point where you just have to laugh. Seriously, ‘John’s Backup Guy’? That’s what he saved it as?,’’ he said.
“Yarns are yarns. I don’t care too much, it’s good content you can’t be angry about it. But he has to save it as ‘John’s Backup Guy’. Kills me.”
The Federal Court previously heard that Mr Lehrmann texted the individual on the night The Project aired looking for drugs.
“The next message you were telling him to bring something with him … Was that because you decided to spend some time that night with friends and that substance,” Ten’s barrister Dr Matt Collins asked.
“Yes Dr Collins, I spiralled pretty quickly,” Mr Lehrmann told the court.
The court heard Mr Lehrmann sent a text message at 1.02am the following morning to a contact in his phone named “John’s backup guy”.
“Hey mate you around tonight for one?” Mr Lehrmann texted.
“Was that a drug dealer?” Dr Collins asked.
“Yes,” Mr Lehrmann said.