Finance Minister Katy Gallagher wipes back tears during questioning about Brittany Higgins
A teary Finance Minister’s voice cracked as she faced yet another round of questions in parliament about what she knew about Brittany Higgins’ allegation.
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Katy Gallagher has wiped away tears as she faced yet another day of questioning about her knowledge of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation.
The Finance Minister said she was disappointed by the week’s debate as the Coalition continued its attack on the Labor frontbencher about what she knew before Ms Higgins went public.
“I am very disappointed that this week, the work that we’ve done on (Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate) Jenkins, on Respect at Work, on asking women to come forward when something happens to them and then treating women the way they are being treated right now,” Senator Gallagher told parliament.
“I am sorry Senator Reynolds is clearly upset about what happened to her.
“And I told her that … but I am also very sorry for Brittany Higgins, I’m sorry documents about her personal life have been leaked.
“I’m sorry a confidential draft claim for compensation found its way onto the front pages of a national newspaper.”
Senator Gallagher’s answer came as Coalition senators screamed interjections in defence of Senator Reynolds, claiming the former minister had “done everything right”.
Senator Reynolds employed both Ms Higgins and the man she accused, Bruce Lehrmann, at the time of the alleged incident in 2019.
Mr Lehrmann pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual assault. His criminal trial was aborted last year due to jury misconduct.
The charge and a plan to retry him was dropped in December due to fears of Ms Higgins mental health.
Senator Gallagher has been under pressure after leaked text messages suggested Ms Higgins’ partner David Sharaz had given her a tip off about Ms Higgins’ interview with The Project in the days before it aired.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backed Senator Gallagher again on Thursday, telling parliament he had “absolute confidence” in his Finance Minister.
Earlier in the week, Senator Gallagher denied misleading the Senate while in opposition in 2021 when by declaring “no one had any knowledge” of the allegation prior to its publication.
During her fourth day of questioning, voice cracked as she choked back tears as was accused of not being able to answer “basic factual questions”.
She rejected suggestions Labor sought to weaponise the allegation for political gain.
Asked if Labor sought advice on whether any of their questioning at the time could have “damaged any prospect of conviction”, Senator Gallagher said they followed party process.
Originally published as Finance Minister Katy Gallagher wipes back tears during questioning about Brittany Higgins
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