1. Brittany Higgins’ social media post
On the second day of the trial, Ms Higgins posted a screenshot on Instagram of a book she had helped write.
The book was called How Many More Women and was written by Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida. It described how laws around the world silence female victims.
Mrs. Higgins’ rape story was in the first edition of the book, but was omitted from the original version because of the impending trial.
The book is now being reissued, including Mrs. Higgins’ story.
She captioned her post “relevant reading” and was heavily criticised in court by Linda Reynolds’ lawyer Martin Bennett.
“If Ms Higgins feels she can provide a running commentary on my client, that is grossly inappropriate,” he told the court.
“You would hope that someone would advise Ms Higgins to stop commenting.”
Ms Higgins’ lawyer Rachael Young SC said the message was a repetition of a published book and not an “explicit reference to today’s proceedings”.
2. Linda Reynolds Nearly Died, It Was Revealed
Brittany Higgins went public with her rape allegations on an episode of Network Ten’s The Project on February 15, 2021.
During the episode, she accused Linda Reynolds of trying to cover up the rape, which took place two years earlier, in March 2019.
The day after Ms Higgins’ claims were broadcast, a question period was held in the Senate. Ms Reynolds was questioned about the situation, to the point where she had a breakdown.
Last week, Ms. Reynolds told the court she was having chest pains, her knees were shaking and she had to leave the Senate.
On Monday, her partner Robert Reid wept as he told the court she had gone to hospital and the cardiologist said: ‘We could lose her.’
3. The Secrets of Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching
On Friday, Linda Reynolds broke down in tears as she told a court she blamed herself for the death of Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching.
Mrs. Kitching suffered a fatal heart attack on March 10, 2022. She was 52 years old.
Earlier this week, Ms Reynolds told the court that Ms Kitching approached her after morning prayers in Parliament House in 2021 and said she was sorry to have to deliver bad news.
Ms Kitching said Labor was aware of the rape that had taken place in Ms Reynolds’ office and would “rain hell on her”.
Ms Kitching learned of the rape through an anonymous email sent directly to her, which described the rape but did not mention Ms Higgins’ name.
She gave the letter to the Australian Federal Police, rather than to her Labor colleagues.
On Friday, Higgins’ lawyer asked Reynolds about her earlier statement during the trial, in which she said Kitching’s decision to advise her on Labor’s plan led to her death.
“I wanted to tell the truth,” Senator Reynolds said as he wept uncontrollably.
‘It shows my guilt. If I hadn’t revealed her trust to me… she was furious with me… which led to her being shut out by Labor.
“I believe what I said … caused them to bully her to death. I carry a great deal of guilt.”
4. Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison Testifies, Fireworks Follow
Linda Reynolds’ lawyers called Mr Morrison to testify, which he did via audio-visual link.
Mr Morrison spoke with emphasis, interrupting Ms Higgins’ lawyer, Rachael Young SC, several times before apologising and allowing her to continue with her questions.
He tried to make it clear to Ms Young that her question was irrelevant, told her that another question had “surprised” him and generally spoke as if he were at a press conference, deflecting questions he did not wish to answer.
Judge Paul Tottle, who had remained largely silent since the start of the proceedings, took a more active role during Mr Morrison’s testimony.
At one point he said: ‘Mr Morrison, unless there are any objections to the question, and there are not, I would be grateful if you would answer the question.’
Mr Morrison defended Ms Reynolds, saying parliamentary procedures had failed the senator and Ms Higgins.
Brittany Higgins is pictured outside the Federal Court in Sydney in December