Allegations Against Mark Dreyfus Removed From Linda Reynolds’ Defamation Case
Canberra – Former Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has been removed as a respondent in Linda Reynolds’ defamation lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Australia. The development comes as Reynolds continues to pursue bankruptcy proceedings against Brittany Higgins and her husband, David Sharaz, seeking to recover damages awarded in the defamation case.
The Federal Court ordered Dreyfus’ removal after Reynolds’ legal team confirmed they were no longer pursuing claims against him. dreyfus had been implicated in allegations relating to the handling of the Higgins matter, but those claims have now been dropped. Reynolds’ case against the Commonwealth remains ongoing, focusing on statements made by Defense officials.
Reynolds won a defamation suit against Higgins in November 2023, with the court finding Higgins had conveyed defamatory imputations about Reynolds. She was awarded $107,000 in damages.
“Reputationally [Ms reynolds feels] very much vindicated, and that’s reflected in the fact that she can’t walk in public without peopel stopping her and telling her how much they admired her tenacity and support,” Reynolds’ lawyer, Bret Walker SC, saeid following the defamation win. He added the defamation win was “the last matter to resolve” before pursuing financial recovery.
Separate criminal proceedings against Bruce Lehrmann, which required proof beyond a reasonable doubt, were discontinued after juror misconduct and concerns for Higgins’s welfare. Lehrmann has always denied raping Higgins. Reynolds has launched bankruptcy actions against Higgins and Sharaz in an attempt to recover the damages.