In the WA Supreme Court, Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Leanne Close revealed her shock at discovering she was in the middle of a potential crime scene during a meeting with Liberal senator Linda Reynolds regarding Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape. Close arranged a meeting at Reynolds’ ministerial office on April 4, 2019, to discuss the alleged sexual assault. It was during this meeting that Reynolds pointed to a couch in the office and indicated that the assault had occurred there. Close expressed concern over the lack of an examination of the scene and the security implications of such an incident taking place in the office.
Close, while reviewing contemporaneous notes, recalled her concern for Higgins’ welfare as Reynolds informed her that Higgins did not wish to report the incident out of fear for her job. Close also expressed unease at the fact that the office had been cleaned since the incident occurred. The meeting with the AFP took place just three days after Reynolds and her chief of staff met with Higgins in the same office regarding what was initially considered a security breach. Close admitted under questioning that she was unaware at the time of the security breach being known by other AFP personnel earlier and that Higgins had been offered assistance after filing a complaint on April 1, 2019, though she chose not to pursue it.
Brittany Higgins alleged that she was raped by colleague Bruce Lehrmann at the office in Parliament House on March 23, 2019 after a night out. Lehrmann has consistently maintained his innocence, despite his criminal trial being halted in 2022. However, in a separate action, the Federal Court sided with Higgins and found the rape allegation to be true on the balance of probabilities, a decision Lehrmann is currently appealing. The revelation of Higgins’ assault has raised concerns about security in Parliament House and the handling of such incidents, particularly in ministerial offices.
The testimony given by Close shed light on the handling of Higgins’ allegations within the political sphere, revealing discrepancies in the response and treatment of such cases. Close’s shock at finding herself in the midst of a potential crime scene underscored the gravity of the situation and the lack of proper investigation into the assault. The concerns raised about the security implications of the incident and the subsequent cleaning of the office highlighted the need for a thorough examination of such cases to ensure accountability and justice for victims.
The defamation suit filed by Reynolds against Higgins brought the details of the assault to the forefront once again, prompting a reexamination of the events that transpired in 2019. Close’s testimony added a new perspective to the case, highlighting the failures in addressing such serious allegations and the impact on the individuals involved. The ongoing legal battles surrounding the assault allegation underscore the complexities of seeking justice in cases of sexual violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. The revelations from the WA Supreme Court hearings have sparked further discussions about the need for reform within political institutions to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
