EXCLUSIVE
Brittany Higgins and her husband David Sharaz have broken cover as her defamation trial against her old boss Senator Linda Reynolds got underway.
But rather than being in Perth, where the trial is being held, the newlyweds were spotted larking around in Paris, chasing pigeons as they made their way from a train station to the Australian embassy.
The couple are not in the French capital to see the Olympics but instead took a three-hour train to the city to sign an affidavit.
Ms Higgins, who announced her pregnancy last month, was seen clutching her baby bump as the pair strolled into the Australian embassy.
She paired a flowing white-and-black-striped maternity dress with Chanel shoes, while her new husband sported facial hair and an open-necked navy Ralph Lauren shirt.
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz posted about their trip into the city on Instagram.
‘POV (point of view): when your town’s notaire takes a month off and you have to train to the embassy to sign affidavits,’ Ms Higgins captioned a video of her husband running to scare a flock of pigeons.
‘Who was more scared: you or the pigeons?’, Ms Higgins asked.
Ms Higgins, who announced her pregnancy last month, was seen clutching her baby bump as the pair strolled into the Australian embassy
She paired a flowing white and black striped maternity dress with Chanel shoes, while her new husband sported facial hair and an open-necked navy Ralph Lauren shirt
‘Probably me – they are coming back!’, replied Mr Sharaz, as he made his way along the pavement.
But it wasn’t the couple’s only foray onto social media on Monday.
A post on the former political staffer’s Instagram was called out in the WA Supreme Court during Monday afternoon’s proceedings.
While the court was in session, Ms Higgins posted a screenshot of a book she contributed to, called ‘How Many More Women’ by Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida.
The book is about laws around the world that silence female victims.
Ms Higgins’ rape story was included in the book, but was redacted in the original version due to forthcoming court proceedings.
The couple are not in the French capital to see the Olympics but instead took a three-hour train to the city to sign an affidavit (pictured: walking into the Australian embassy)
Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz posted about their trip into the city on Instagram (pictured)
Mr Sharaz said he was scared of pigeons as he minced along the Parisian pavement
The book is now being republished with Ms Higgins’ story included.
She captioned the post: ‘Pertinent reading.’
Ms Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett said Ms Higgins’ ‘commentary’ was ‘extraordinarily inappropriate’ – and said his client’s statement of claim would be amended to include the latest post.
Moments before court wrapped for the day, Mr Bennett said: ‘While my client was giving evidence, Ms Higgins posted on social media.
‘If Ms Higgins thinks she can provide a running commentary on my client, it’s extraordinarily inappropriate,’ he told the court.
‘One would hope someone would advise Ms Higgins to give up commentary.’
Ms Higgins’ lawyer Rachael Young SC said the post was a repost of a book that was published, rather than ‘an express reference to today’s proceeding’.
Mr Bennett said: ‘It’s the timing and the connection.’
Justice Tottle said he would deal with submissions when the time came.
Linda Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett said Ms Higgins’ ‘commentary’ was ‘extraordinarily inappropriate’ – and said his client’s statement of claim would be amended to include the latest post
Meanwhile, a fundraiser has been set up to help Ms Higgins with ‘ongoing medical, counselling and legal costs’ – less than two years after she was controversially awarded $2.4million in taxpayer-funded compensation.
The campaign, which was set up by sexual assault campaigner Saxon Mullins and will be held in a trust by her Perth lawyers, will not be directly accessible by Ms Higgins or Mr Sharaz.
According to the fundraiser, which is called #standwithbrittanyhiggins, the money would be inaccessible to Ms Reynolds if she won her defamation case.
The campaign said: ‘This fundraiser is to provide additional support for Brittany Higgins’ ongoing medical, counselling and legal costs.
‘The money will be used for Brittany Higgins’ benefit for ongoing medical and counselling costs, and payment of any outstanding invoices for legal work performed for Ms Higgins.’
A fundraiser has been set up to help Ms Higgins with ‘ongoing medical, counselling and legal costs’ – less than two years after she was controversially awarded $2.4million in taxpayer-funded compensation (pictured)
Last week it was revealed that Ms Higgins would have to sell her $600,000 home in France to cover her legal fees during the defamation action.
If she loses the case, Ms Higgins would also have to cover Ms Reynolds’ legal fees. The cost of the case could run into the millions.
In April, Federal Court Justice Lee found, on a balance of probabilities, that Bruce Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins in Parliament House in 2019.
The fundraiser read: ‘Many hoped the judgement would mark the end of this legal saga, and Brittany would be free to move on and heal in private.’
‘However, Brittany is now being sued for defamation by a former boss, over three social media postings made by her in mid-2023.’
The campaign also fired a shot at men’s rights activist Bettina Arndt, who is holding a conference later in August called ‘Restoring the Presumption of Innocence’.
Lehrmann was set to speak at the conference until Justice Lee’s ruling in April.
‘One of the foreshadowed speeches [at the conference] is titled “The verdict goes to… the best actress”,’ the campaign read.
In December 2022, Ms Higgins launched legal action against the Commonwealth over the way her rape claims were handled by her Parliament House bosses in 2019.
After legal fees, she walked away with about $1.9million.
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