Brittany Higgins secures major book deal, vows to ‘shine a light’ on Parliament House culture

Brittany Higgins vows to ‘shine a light’ on Parliament House’s toxic culture, signing a deal reportedly worth $250,000.

Brittany Higgins at the Women's March 4 Justice Rally in March. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Alleged rape survivor Brittany Higgins has signed a major book deal with Penguin Random House Australia, saying her memoir will “shine a light” into Parliament House’s toxic culture.

The book deal is reportedly worth $250,000 and Ms Higgins says the final product will “provide a first-hand account of what it was like surviving a media storm that turned into a movement.”

Ms Higgins came to national prominence in February when she alleged she was raped in the parliamentary office of cabinet minister Linda Reynolds.

Her coming forward sprouted months of revelations about toxic behaviour in federal politics and Ms Higgins addressed a crowd of thousands outside parliament last month, calling for change.

“I feel privileged to be afforded the opportunity to share my experience inside Parliament House. I’m proud to commit half of the royalties for each book sold to the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre who were a lifeline for me in the wake of my sexual assault,” Ms Higgins tweeted on Tuesday.

I feel privileged to be afforded the opportunity to share my experience inside Parliament House. I’m proud to commit half of the royalties for each book sold to the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre who were a lifeline for me in the wake of my sexual assault. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/VWdxmwp4ei

— Brittany Higgins (@BrittHiggins_) April 13, 2021

“This book will shine a light on the culture inside the corridors of power and provide a first-hand account of what it was like surviving a media storm that turned into a movement. “It’s an honour to sign with @penguinrandom and join the ranks of their many esteemed writers.”

Ms Higgins – who has become a major voice in the Australian women’s movement – has set up a company, Brittany Higgins Pty Ltd, and The Australian’s Media Diary on Monday revealed she was in talks with publishers.

The former Liberal staffer has appeared regularly in the news since her speech to the March4Justice, most notably when her former employer Senator Reynolds paid her damages.

The Australian revealed last month Senator Reynolds had called Ms Higgins a “lying cow” in front of her parliamentary staff.

Nine Newspapers reported on Monday that Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons was acting for Ms Higgins in her negotiations with publishers.

Mr FitzSimons is the husband of The Project host Lisa Wilkinson, who conducted the first television interview with Ms Higgins after she made her allegations.