Linda Reynolds has doubled down on her bid to freeze Brittany Higgins’ assets after the former staffer showed off her new life in the south of France, paid for by her $2.4million taxpayer-funded payout.
The former defence minister is suing Ms Higgins and her fiancé David Sharaz for defamation in the Supreme Court of Western over posts they each made on social media.
Ms Reynolds wrote a letter to Ms Higgins’ lawyer Leon Zwier in December, pointing to reports that the couple had bought a home in the small town of Lunas and were planning to permanently relocate.
‘If such reports are true, we consider that an application for freezing orders is appropriate,’ the letter read.
Daily Mail can now reveal Ms Reynolds has taken the action further, seeking French legal advice on whether the government would enforce an n ruling.
Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz are pictured in France. They permanently relocated to Lunas, in the country’s south
Linda Reynolds (pictured) is suing Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz for defamation
‘I am considering my position and awaiting advice from French Counsel on my right to enforce an n judgment against assets in France,’ she said.
Ms Higgins gave evidence in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel 10 in early December.
The former political staffer then flew to Europe with Mr Sharaz and their cavoodle, Kingston, to start their new life before Christmas.
On Wednesday, she used Instagram to share a series of photos of her recent travels, captioning the post with a quote by French philosopher Sartre: ‘Nous sommes nos choix’.
The phrase roughly translates to: ‘We are our choices’.
She added: ‘Here are a few of mine as of late.’
One image showed Mr Sharaz seated at the end of a long table stacked with meat, potatoes, a large bowl of carrots, and a bottle of champagne for their first Christmas abroad.
She also included a snap of the Arc de Triomphe at night, a Parisian streetscape, art galleries and museums.
Pictured: The house Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz bought in Lunas, France
Ms Higgins is pictured in France with her dog Kingston, a month after permanently relocating
Mr Sharaz was pictured smiling at the end of a long table stacked with meat and a large bowl of carrots
Ms Reynolds’ defamation case will return to the WA Supreme Court on January 30, followed by a mediation conference on March 5 and a strategic conference on March 6.
Judge Marcus Solomon previously urged the parties to resolve the issue before going to trial, citing immense costs that are often associated with defamation proceedings.
Ms Higgins’ multimillion-dollar civil claim against the Commonwealth was settled in December 2022 after just one day of mediation, and ten days after the ACT DPP dropped the sexual assault charge against her alleged rapist, Bruce Lehrmann.
Mr Lehrmann has continually maintained his innocence and sued the Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson last month in the Federal Court for publishing Ms Higgins’ rape allegations in 2021.
Justice Michael Lee presided over the case and is yet to deliver his judgement.
During Mr Lehrmann’s defamation trial, Ms Higgins’ deed of settlement was released.
According to the claim, Ms Higgins’ ‘hurt, distress and humiliation’ was valued at $400,000, past and future domestic assistance cost $100,000, and $220,000 for medical expenses.
Legal fees were a further $245,000, and $1,480,000 was paid for lost wages.
The payment has been referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission by Senator Reynolds. The NACC has declined to comment on what it is investigating.
A series of photos showcasing her first month of adventures across France include a snap of the Arc de Triomphe at night (pictured)