Linda Reynolds demands Labor apology for ‘damage’ caused in Bruce Lehrmann saga

Former defence minister Linda Reynolds and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher have clashed in a tense exchange at Senate estimates over “damage wrought” in the wake of Brittany Higgins’ accusation of sexual assault.

“As this is most likely my last Senate estimates, I just want to ask you minister, will you now apologise, not just to me, but to my staff and my family for all of the damage that has been wrought on them by you and by others in the Labor party,” Ms Reynolds asked.

Ms Higgins was a staffer for Ms Reynolds when she alleged she had been raped by fellow staffer Bruce Lehrmann in the Senator’s office in 2019.

Her then-colleague was charged with rape and faced trial in 2022, but the trial was aborted due to juror misconduct. The charge was dropped and Mr Lehrmann continues to maintain his innocence.

Senator Penny Wong and Senator Gallagher became involved in the Higgins scandal after interrogating Senator Reynolds over the alleged sexual assault at Parliament House.

Senator Reynolds has said the two inappropriately used parliamentary privilege.

Offering an apology of sorts, Senator Gallagher said: “I am sorry that you have been hurt by all of this.”

“I’ve gone back and had a look at the questions I’ve asked, and I believe the questions I’ve asked of you when you were a minister and accountable for what happened in your office were reasonable.”

“I consider these things deeply.

“You were a minister, you were accountable for what happened in your office and we asked questions about an alleged sexual assault in this building.

“I would believe that other senators in a similar circumstance would ask exactly the same questions.

“Did I seek to cause harm to you? Or anyone else? No.”

“I asked questions that I think most people would expect would have be asked with such serious allegations.”

Immediately after her response, Ms Reynolds abruptly left the committee room added: “So, that’s a ‘no’. There was no apology to my staff.