Michaelia Cash denies mistreatment of Brittany Higgins

Brittany Higgins’ former boss Michaelia Cash, has rejected mistreatment claims of her former staff member while she worked in her office.

Michaelia Cash has emphatically denied any mistreatment of her former staff member Brittany Higgins, as questions over the Commonwealth’s compensation payment to the former staffer arise.

Ms Higgins, who claims she was raped by former colleague Bruce Lehrmann, reached a confidential personal injury settlement with the Commonwealth in December after a brief mediation period.

It came after Mr Lehrmann’s trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct, and any potential retrial was dumped over concerns about Ms Higgins’ mental health. Mr Lehrmann has always maintained his innocence and no findings have been made against him.

Despite early reports suggesting she had been paid $3 million, Ms Higgins quickly sought to clear the record – saying she had received “well below” the reported figure; and that she had begun the legal process earlier in the year when the Coalition was still in government.

Brittany Higgins alleges she was raped in Linda Reynolds office. She then went to work for Michaelia Cash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Senator Cash, who employed Ms Higgins’ after she left Linda Reynolds’ office told 2GB on Tuesday she had “absolutely not” treated her former staffer badly.

“I have been clear in my position from day one. The first time I ever heard the word rape was when I received a question from a journalist after Ms Higgins left my office,” she said.

Since an extensive interview with Mr Lehrmann aired on Channel 7 on Sunday, media personalities have floated referring the payout to the National Anti Corruption Commission, which will open for business on July 1.

Senator Cash said there were concerns over how the Albanese government had “rushed” the mediation process, and once again criticised the Attorney-General for leaving her and Senator Reynolds out of the room.

Reports first emerged in December that senators Reynold and Cash were told they would not have access to Commonwealth legal assistance if they attended the mediation.

Michaelia Cash has emphatically denied any mistreatment of her former staff member Brittany Higgins. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Cash said there were questions to be answered about the brief mediation process and why she and Senator Reynolds were muzzled.

“The National Anti Corruption Commission is totally independent and it’s entirely a matter for the Commission what it chooses to investigate,” a spokesperson for the Attorney General said.

Senator Cash said the Project also needed “to release for the public to listen to themselves that five hour recording”.