Lehrmann's Last Appeal Denied, Rape Allegation Stands

0:00It's April 9th, I'm Corey with the story, and this is Adelaide News Today, your AI-powered local news. Australia's high court just shut down Bruce Lairman's last shot at appealing a major defamation loss. The court refused special leave, sticking with earlier rulings that a network 10 report was substantially true when it aired Brittany Higgins' claim. He raped her back in Parliament House. This all stems from a February 2021 episode of The Project, where Higgins shared her story. Lairman sued 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson, but federal court justice Michael Lee tossed the case in April 2024, calling it a total mess. That ruling got upheld by the full federal court in December, finding on the balance of probabilities that the rape allegation held up. A separate criminal trial in the ACT fell apart over juror misconduct, so no conviction there. Now Lairman faces paying 10's $2 million legal bill, which could push him into bankruptcy.

1:00No more appeals mean this chapter closes for good. If this hits close to home, reach out to 1800 Respect at 1800 73732 or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service at 18011028. Stay informed folks.