Brittany Higgins says it is “incredibly hurtful” to hear that Defence Minister Linda Reynolds called her a “lying cow” in the wake of her Parliament House rape allegations.
In her first comments responding to Senator Reynolds’ remarks, Ms Higgins said: “The comments made by Minister Reynolds are incredibly hurtful.”
“I appreciate that it has been a stressful time but that sort of behaviour and language is never excusable,” she said.
“It’s just further evidence of the toxic workplace culture that exists behind closed doors in Parliament House.”
Senator Reynolds reportedly made the comment on 15 February – the same day Ms Higgins went public with allegations she was raped by a male colleague inside Senator Reynolds’ office in March 2019, when she was 24 years old.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier on Thursday said the under-fire senator “deeply regretted” the remarks.
Senator Reynolds is facing calls to resign after she responded to, but did not deny, the reports.
She reportedly made the comment in the open part of her office and it was heard by several staff members, including public servants on secondment from the Department of Defence.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, Senator Reynolds did not specifically address whether she had used that term in reference to Ms Higgins.
She said she had “never questioned Ms Higgins’ account of her alleged sexual assault and have always sought to respect her agency”.
“I did, however, comment on news reports regarding surrounding circumstances that I felt had been misrepresented,” she continued.
“I have consistently respected Ms Higgins’s agency and privacy and said this is her story to tell and no one else’s.
“Ms Higgins’s allegations are very serious and that is how they must be treated to ensure her legal rights are protected. I welcome her decision to progress this matter with the Australian Federal Police.”
Mr Morrison on Thursday said Senator Reynolds had apologised for her remarks.
“She apologised to the staff about making what were inappropriate comments, long before it became public,” he told reporters.
“She deeply regrets it. They were offensive remarks. She should never have made them. I don’t condone them. But what matters is that we continue to address the substance of the issues.”
Senator Reynolds had known about the alleged rape for more than two years but did not inform Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has said he only became aware of the allegations last month.
Last week, Senator Reynolds was admitted to hospital with a pre-existing medical condition and forced to cancel a much-anticipated speech at the National Press Club – where she was expected to be pressed on her handling of the alleged incident.
She is on medical leave until next week.
Mr Morrison on Thursday also dismissed calls for an independent inquiry into a historical rape allegation against Attorney-General Christian Porter, which he has strenuously denied.
He also rejected calls for Mr Porter to stand down from his current role as Australia’s top law maker – saying he expected Mr Porter to return to the job after a short period of leave.
Mr Morrison said he stood by Mr Porter and his right to the presumption of innocence.
“There is no other alternative for a Prime Minister than the rule of law,” he said.
“There is not some other process. There is not the mob process. There is not the tribe-has-spoken process. That’s not how we run the rule of law in Australia.
“The rule of law is essential for liberal democracies. And we weaken it at our great peril.”
NSW Police on Tuesday closed their investigation into the rape allegation put to them in February last year by the woman at the centre of the complaint, a Adelaide woman who took her own life.
The South Australian coroner is also investigating the circumstances around her death and currently considering whether to conduct an inquest.
Mr Morrison described the events surrounding the historical allegations as “harrowing” but said they should be left with police to deal with.
“They are the competent and authorised authorities to make the judgements about any such allegations, and they have made their conclusions,” he said.
If you or someone you know is impacted by family and domestic violence or sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at Beyondblue.org.au. Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
