Fresh details shed light on sacking of Liberal staffer accused of raping Brittany Higgins

The official termination date is significant because Brittany Higgins has previously stated she recalled the alleged perpetrator had left the office of then-Defence Industry Minister Linda Reynolds 10 days earlier.

Former political staffer Brittany Higgins.

Former political staffer Brittany Higgins. Source: AAP

The Liberal staffer who allegedly raped Brittany Higgins did not have his employment terminated until 10 days after leaving the office of then-Defence Industry Minister Linda Reynolds. 

The official termination date has been revealed in answers to questions on notice provided by the Department of Finance in response to a Senate estimates hearing in March.   

Ms Higgins alleges she was raped inside the ministerial office of Senator Reynolds on 23 March, 2019.   
Labor Senator Katy Gallagher had questioned officials about the termination date during a previous estimates hearing. 

The answer to the question on notice responds: "I can confirm the employment of the individual in question was terminated on 5 April 2019 on the grounds of serious misconduct."   

Ms Higgins has previously stated she recalled the man had left the office 10 days earlier - on 26 March.

Ms Higgins was interviewed by Senator Reynolds' chief of staff on 26 March during a formal employment meeting about the alleged incident, where she detailed her account of the incident. 

Senator Reynolds has previously stated that the reason for the alleged perpetrator's termination was a security breach.   


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Published 20 May 2021 11:00am
Updated 20 May 2021 11:08am
By SBS News
Source: SBS



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