Former Defence Minister Says Ruling Proves Allegations Were Lies – Vows Accountability as She Seeks to Rebuild Health and Reputation

 “The truth is now binding.” Those were the defiant words of former Defence Minister Linda Reynolds after a Federal Court judge ruled in her favour in the long-running defamation case against Brittany Higgins and her partner David Sharaz. Justice Michael Lee found that Reynolds had been defamed on the balance of probabilities, rejecting the pair’s truth defence and awarding the Senator $285,000 in damages plus costs. Reynolds, visibly emotional outside court, declared the judgment ended a “five-year nightmare” she claims destroyed her health, career, and reputation. “I fought only for truth,” she told reporters. “Today the court has confirmed the allegations were lies. Now I want accountability.”

The case centred on social media posts and interviews in 2021 where Higgins and Sharaz accused Reynolds of mishandling Higgins’ rape allegation in Reynolds’ ministerial office in 2019, claiming the Senator had prioritised political cover-up over victim support. Justice Lee found four of the six imputations defamatory, including that Reynolds had “pressured” Higgins not to go to police and engaged in a “politically motivated attack”. While acknowledging Reynolds’ initial response to Higgins had been “clumsy and inadequate”, the judge ruled the more serious accusations of deliberate malice were not substantially true.

Reynolds, 61, who resigned from cabinet in 2021 citing health grounds and has been on extended leave from the Senate since 2023, said the ordeal triggered PTSD, heart issues, and severe anxiety. “I have been vilified, bullied, and had my character assassinated,” she said. “This judgment restores my name and confirms what I always knew – I did not cover up a rape.” She paid tribute to her partner Robert Reid and family, thanking supporters who “never wavered”.

Higgins, who was not in court, said through her lawyer she was “disappointed” but respected the decision. Sharaz, now living in Ireland, called the outcome “devastating” but vowed to “keep speaking truth to power”.

The case has reignited national debate over political handling of sexual assault allegations, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it “a difficult chapter” while stressing the importance of believing victims. Reynolds, however, framed the verdict as vindication for all accused of wrongdoing without evidence. “No one should endure trial by media,” she said.

With damages modest compared to the $2.4 million initially sought, attention turns to costs – estimated at over $3 million – and whether Reynolds will pursue aggravated damages or bankruptcy proceedings against Sharaz. She has also flagged possible parliamentary privilege action against Labor figures who repeated the claims.

As Canberra processes the fallout, one thing is clear: for Linda Reynolds, the fight for her name is over. The fight for accountability, she insists, has only just begun.