Lisa Wilkinson Defamation Trial: Brittany Higgins Could Impact Election, Court Documents Reveal

Wilkinson, facing defamation lawsuit from Bruce Lehrmann, told Higgins her rape allegations could cause the Coalition to lose the federal election.

Lisa Wilkinson, journalist for Network Ten, is being sued for defamation by Bruce Lehrmann over an interview with Brittany Higgins that aired on The Project in 2021. Lehrmann alleges the story defamed him by suggesting he raped Higgins in 2019.
Lehrmann has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent. His criminal trial was abandoned due to juror misconduct and the second did not proceed due to prosecutors’ fears for Higgins’ mental health.
A transcript of a five-hour conversation between Wilkinson, Higgins and Higgins' partner, David Sharaz, reveals that Wilkinson was motivated to report on the alleged rape as she wanted to be a “champion for women who are being suppressed”.
Higgins said she would “love” the chance to contest a civil case against Lehrmann, but expressed doubt about the likelihood of ever being able to prove a criminal charge of rape against him.
Wilkinson told Higgins that she could cause the Coalition to lose the federal election, as they only care about the election and see her as a potential problem.