How Brittany Higgins was awarded 40 years in lost wages after being diagnosed as medically unfit to work - before getting a job four years later
Brittany Higgins now has a job - four years after she was awarded $2.4million from the federal government after claiming she was 'diagnosed as medically unfit for any form of employment'.
The former Liberal staffer made a compensation claim for damages in March 2022 after alleging she was raped in parliament by her former colleague, Bruce Lehrmann.
He has always denied the claims but was found to have raped Ms Higgins on the balance of probabilities by Justice Michael Lee in April last year - a decision Lehrmann is currently appealing.
In Ms Higgins' draft statement of claim, first reported by The Australian newspaper, it was stated that she had a 'reasonable expectation of being promoted regularly and to eventually pursue her own political career, before suffering from the injuries and disabilities'.
She had been 'diagnosed as medically unfit for any form of employment, and has been given a very poor prognosis for future employment'.
The claim suggested she was therefore due over $2.5 million in economic loss for 40 years' of missed earnings.
These claims were untested in court given Ms Higgins was awarded the $2.4 million by payout after one day of mediation talks.
Over half of the sum was in respect of her loss of earnings, while the rest was made up of medical expenses, legal costs and '$400,000 for hurt, distress and humiliation'.
Despite once claiming not to be able to work again, Ms Higgins this week revealed she is returning to the workforce, joining the same company where her husband is employed.
The 30-year-old is now the director of public affairs at the public relations agency Third Hemisphere, the Australian Financial Review first reported.
Her appointment came soon after her husband David Sharaz announced in March he had taken on the role of director at the agency.
The pair are working from home as they juggle their roles with looking after their son Freddie who was born on March 2.
It is the first full-time job for Ms Higgins since she was a ministerial media adviser and was thrust into the limelight when she made rape claims against colleague Bruce Lehrmann.
Following the trials, Ms Higgins became an advocate for survivors of sexual assault.
Ms Higgins explained her move to Third Hemisphere came after fostering a connection with the firm's founder and CEO Hannah Moreno.
Ms Moreno was also a rape and domestic violence survivor who campaigns for gender equality and fights against sexual harassment.
Ms Higgins shared the news of her appointment on Instagram with the caption: 'Your girl is finally back in the workforce!'
'There was this general feeling of "how long do I have to be the story for?" At what point do I get to put it to rest... and have my own identity outside this narrative of Brittany Higgins,' Ms Higgins said.
'I also have a brand reputation and I don't want to align myself in a corporate sense with someone that could be doing something untoward.
'I had to join a team that I fundamentally believe in and which believes in the same things that I do.'
Ms Higgins said the role would be her first step in following her role models, including Governor-General Samantha Mostyn, Indigenous social activist and business executive Tanya Hosch and business executive Christine Holgate.
In her new position, Ms Higgins will work with clients on reputation management and strategic advocacy.
She will also handle stakeholder engagement, media relations and public affairs initiatives which create public discussion.
Ms Higgins shared the news of her appointment to Instagram on Wednesday with the caption: 'Your girl is finally back in the workforce!'
In August 2021, Mr Lehrmann was identified as the Liberal Party staffer accused of raping Ms Higgins inside Parliament House in 2019.
Ms Higgins shared her alleged sexual assault ordeal with Channel 10 journalist Lisa Wilkinson in an interview aired on The Project.
Lehrmann has always denied the allegations.
Lehrmann faced the ACT Supreme Court in late 2022 but the case was dropped after a juror brought outside research into the deliberation room.
Another criminal trial did not happen, with prosecutors citing concern for Ms Higgins' mental health.
In 2023, Lehrmann launched legal proceedings against Wilkinson and Channel 10, claiming he'd been defamed by The Project episode.
The ruling in that lawsuit left Lehrmann's reputation in ruins with Justice Michael Lee finding that, on the balance of probabilities, he raped Ms Higgins.
He has appealed the ruling with the case to go before the Federal Court of Australia in August.
After quitting her role as Liberal Party media adviser, Ms Higgins worked on short-term contracts at the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and the Queensland Human Rights Commission.
She also signed a book deal with Penguin Random House in 2021 for a tell-all memoir about her time in Parliament and the moment Lehrmann allegedly raped her.
The final 90,000-word autobiography was meant to hit shelves in 2022, but publishers placed it on indefinite hold due to legal issues - namely, because the trial against Mr Lehrmann fell over and he was never convicted.
It emerged this week that Mr Lehrmann is working unpaid as a live-in nanny to the children of a close friend as he awaits further trials.
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