Australia's highest court has refused to hear Bruce Lehrmann's appeal of the defamation ruling that found, on the balance of probabilities, he raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House.
The High Court decision, reported by the ABC, marks the final word on one of the most politically explosive cases in recent Australian history. Lehrmann had sought special leave to appeal the Federal Court's findings, but the High Court rejected his application without providing detailed reasons—standard practice when the court declines to hear a case.
The Federal Court ruling found that Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in a Parliament House office in 2019. While Lehrmann was never criminally convicted—his criminal trial was aborted due to juror misconduct—the civil defamation case applied the lower standard of proof required in civil matters.
Mate, this isn't just about one case. It's about accountability in the corridors of power.
The case exposed serious questions about how sexual assault allegations are handled in Parliament House, the culture of political offices, and the treatment of young staffers. It became a flashpoint in Australian politics, contributing to the downfall of the Morrison government and forcing a reckoning about workplace safety in federal politics.
The High Court's refusal to hear the appeal means the Federal Court's findings stand. Lehrmann has exhausted his legal options to challenge Justice Michael Lee's determination that he committed rape.
For Higgins, the decision brings legal finality to years of public scrutiny and legal proceedings. She has consistently maintained that she was raped in Parliament House, and the Federal Court found her account credible.
