In social media posts, Ms Higgins accused the former senator of mishandling her rape allegation, harassing her in the aftermath, and of trying to “silence” sexual assault victims.<\/p>\n
Justice Paul Tottle found three posts were defamatory and ordered Ms Higgins to pay $315,000 to Ms Reynolds plus $26,000 in interest payments.<\/p>\n
Speaking outside a WA Liberal state conference on Saturday, Ms Reynolds urged Mr Albanese to end the saga.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Linda Reynolds pictured at the WA Liberal state conference on Saturday.\u00a0 (ABC News: Courtney Withers)<\/p>\n
“He and his colleagues so enthusiastically spent the last, pretty much the last four-and-a-half years prosecuting her [Ms Higgins’] messages to the great detriment of myself, my physical and mental health, my financial circumstances,” Ms Reynolds said.<\/p>\n
“The last four-and-a-half years, I can’t lie, have been hell \u2026 for my partner, for my family, my staff, my friends.<\/p>\n
“Surely, prime minister, the decent thing is to say sorry and to end it.”<\/p>\n
Ms Reynolds launched a separate lawsuit against the Commonwealth in April, alleging it breached its duty to act in her best interests while reaching a $2.4 million settlement with Ms Higgins in 2021.<\/p>\n
Years-long saga<\/p>\n
The years-long saga of lawsuits and counter lawsuits began after Ms Higgins was raped by her colleague Bruce Lehrmann in Ms Reynolds’ office.<\/p>\n
The finding of rape was made on the balance of probabilities \u2014 the standard of proof in a civil court matter \u2014 by Justice Michael Lee last year during a separate defamation action.<\/p>\n