Reynolds vs Govt: Mediation Over Higgins Settlement

0:00It's March 10th, here's your Sydney news in two minutes. Former Senator Linda Reynolds is heading to mediation to resolve her lawsuit against the Australian government. She's challenging how they handle the $2.4 million settlement paid to her former staffer, Brittany Higgins. The payout stemmed from Higgins' claims of inadequate support after an alleged rape in Parliament House back in 2019. The dispute centers on the government's decision to take control of Reynolds' defense and settle without involving her. Higgins accused Reynolds of not supporting her properly after the incident, which involved colleague Bruce Lairman, a civil court found on the balance of probabilities that Lairman raped Higgins, though he has denied it. This all unfolded, while Higgins worked in Reynolds' camera office, where Reynolds served as defense minister. The government insisted had the right to manage the defense and resolve the claims. Reynolds argues they breached their duty by settling when liability seemed unlikely. On Tuesday, a federal court judge in Perth ordered mediation between the parties.

1:03Reynolds' lawyer expressed optimism about open discussions with the government and its former lawyers to address her exclusion from the original two, 2022 mediation. The mediation is said before the next court hearing on June 22. Meanwhile, Reynolds has won a separate defamation case against Higgins in Western Australia, and Lairman's criminal trial was dropped due to juror. Issues and concerns for Higgins' well-being. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor. Lay back. Press play. Let the pillow do the rest. Sound meets comfort. S-O-L-I-SOLYPILLOW.COM