Menslink CEO Martin Fisk tipped off Heidi Yates about Brittany Higgins’s rape claim

A charity boss, whose wife works for the ALP, told Victims of Crime chief Heidi Yates about Higgins’s rape claim before it became public.

Martin Fisk outside Parliament House. Picture: Facebook

A Canberra charity boss who was nominated for a top Australian honour by David Sharaz and whose wife works for the Labor Party can be revealed as the mystery man who told Victims of Crime Commissioner Heidi Yates about Brittany Higgins’s rape claim weeks before it became public.

Former Menslink chief executive officer Martin Fisk, whose wife Sandra is the ACT Labor Party’s operations manager, told Ms Yates in January 2021 that he was “working with a young woman who was about to make a sexual-assault disclosure” and that it “would likely attract national media attention”.

Mr Fisk’s involvement reveals another puzzle piece as to “who knew what when”, while his wife’s strong links to the Labor Party, where she began working in 2012 while her Facebook friend ­Finance Minister Katy Gallagher was Territory chief minister, raise questions about the politicisation of Ms Higgins’ allegation.

Ms Yates told the inquiry into the ACT’s criminal justice system this month that she first became aware of Ms Higgins’ sexual ­assault allegation against colleague Bruce Lehrmann while attending a community event as a guest speaker on January 30, 2021.

Emma Webster, Brittany Higgins and Heidi Yates leaving the ACT Supreme Court during Bruce Lehrmann’s trial in October 2022. Photo: David Gray/AFP.

Ms Yates was speaking at a multicultural community event called Build Resilience Against ­Violence alongside Mr Fisk.

“During a break in the presentation, [redacted] indicated to me that he was working with a young woman who was about to make a sexual assault disclosure that would likely be significant in terms of national media attention,” Ms Yates’ statement said.

“He said he was gathering messages of support for the young woman ahead of her ‘going public’ and would appreciate it if I could provide a letter of support.”

Mr Fisk’s name was redacted from Ms Yates’ statement as well as from a flyer for the community event that was tendered to the ­inquiry. The board of inquiry did not respond to questions about why Mr Fisk’s name was redacted.

The man, now known to be Mr Fisk, emailed Ms Yates after the event, seeking a written expression of support for Ms Higgins.

“The young woman‘s name is Brittany. I’m sorry I can’t provide more details,” he wrote. “Just a short letter of personal support for her would mean a great deal. Thank you!!!!!”

Ms Yates responded on February 3 and included “a brief note to Brittany expressing general words of encouragement”.

“Dear Brittany, I understand you’ve made the decision to speak out this week about a crime that’s been perpetrated against you. I’m writing to say thank you. It is voices like yours that will make it possible for us to drive change. To work ­together towards a system that recognises truth, holds offenders to account and creates space for women and all those affected by sexual violence to tell their stories with dignity,“ she wrote.

“My office and I are here to support you and your family in any way that we can. Know that you’re not alone. You have our thanks and if you would like it, our support, as we stand behind you in your choice to speak out. Take care and go gently this week.”

Former Menslink chief executive officer Martin Fisk and wife Sandra. Photo: Facebook.

On February 15, Ms Higgins’ rape allegation was broadcast on Network 10’s The Project and published on news.com.au after she gave interviews to journalists Lisa Wilkinson and Samantha Maiden.

The Fisks were on the witness list, but never called, at Mr Lehrmann’s rape trial in October. Inquiry exhibits include notes of police statements obtained from the Fisks in July 2021.

Mrs Fisk told police she met Ms Higgins in July 2020 through her boyfriend Mr Sharaz when the couple visited the Fisks’ home “for a catch up”. “Later on in the evening I was sitting on side of fire with Brittany. She said she felt harassed at work. Did not tell me the details, but made agreement to catch up later,” the notes say.

In August 2020 the Fisks, Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz went to an indoor skiing centre in Canberra where they “ate pizza and drank wine”. Afterwards they went to Mr Sharaz’s apartment where they sat around talking.

“David asked Brittany if he could tell me something and she nodded,” Mrs Fisk recounted to police. “David said Brittany had been sexually assaulted at Parliament House.”

In November 2020 Mrs Fisk caught up with Ms Higgins at the Kingston Foreshore where the young Liberal staffer “spoke about work and how much she loved her job” but also said she was “struggling with what happened”.

Lisa Wilkinson and Brittany Higgins. Photo: Supplied.

Mrs Fisk said that between ­December 2020 and January 2021 she would “sporadically” catch up with Ms Higgins but “Brittany would cancel”.

“Prior to media, I knew Brittany was out drinking with her work colleagues, back to Parliament House, discovered next morning in bad position on couch,” her statement said.

Mr Fisk’s police statement was similar. He said that when they were at Mr Sharaz’s apartment in mid-2020 Ms Higgins told them that a “senior colleague took her to Parliament House” and that she was “so drunk she could not sign” her name at the security entrance.

“Woke up in minister’s office being raped,” Ms Higgins had told him, according to his police statement. “In next few months began talking to myself and Sandra about going to media and police.”

Bruce Lehrmann leaving the Supreme Court in Canberra with his lawyers during his rape trial in October 2022. Picture: Gary Ramage.

In January last year, Mr Fisk was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through social welfare organisations. He was nominated by Mr Sharaz who he had known since at least 2019.

Mr Sharaz congratulated Mr Fisk, 55, on social media.

“Being able to support @BrittHiggins_ has only been made possible by leaning on people like Martin Fisk when things are tough,” he tweeted.

“So proud he’s been awarded an OAM for his work as CEO of @Menslink.”

Mr Fisk, who is a volunteer board member of not-for-profit charity Fearless Women, left Menslink lastDecember after almost 12 years with the organisation.

In February he took up a temporary role as senior director of public advocacy at the ACT Human Rights Commission, which also employs Ms Yates.

The commission and Mr Fisk did not respond to questions by deadline.

Brittany Higgins and partner David Sharaz. Photo: Supplied.