Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has levelled a fresh lawsuit against Brittany Higgins and the entity managing the trust established to safeguard the former staffer’s multimillion-dollar payout, as she attempts to secure any damages that may flow from their defamation row.
Last month, the former defence minister succeeded in a bid to access the deed governing Higgins’ trust.
Senator Linda Reynolds (right) has taken defamation action against Brittany Higgins.Credit: Holly Thompson/ Supplied
The trust was established to protect $2.4 million in compensation she received from the federal government in late 2021 for lost earnings, medical expenses and legal fees following her alleged rape in Parliament House.
According to a writ lodged in the WA Supreme Court by Reynolds’ legal team, the former staffer established the trust 24 hours after the settlement was finalised and transferred a significant portion of the sum to herself as trustee.
But on February 23, 2022, Reynolds claims Higgins retired as trustee and handed over the reins to Power Blazers Pty Ltd.
According to ASIC documents obtained by this masthead, Higgins, her father, Matthew and her friend Emma Webster are all listed as directors of the entity.
Higgins and her father each have a 50 per cent shareholding in the company.
In the writ, Reynolds alleges the transfer was executed by Higgins in an attempt to defeat any potential creditors that might pursue her.
Reynolds is now demanding orders voiding and reversing that transfer, claiming she is a creditor of Higgins. The pursuit comes as the four-week trial in their year-long defamation row draws to a close.
The former defence minister is suing Higgins for damages, as well as aggravated damages, over a series of social media posts she claims accused her of mishandling the former staffer’s alleged rape and silencing victims of sexual assault.
Higgins is defending the action, claiming the substance of the posts was true.
The lawsuit has seen several high-profile witnesses take the stand, including former prime minister Scott Morrison and former foreign affairs minister Marise Payne.
Higgins had been due to travel from France to Perth to give evidence over five days from August 26, but has since opted not to on medical grounds.
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