Former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann arrived at a Toowoomba court Monday morning for a committal hearing into allegations he raped a woman in 2021.
Lehrmann, 29, is accused of two counts of rape relating to the alleged incident. He is on bail and has not previously been required to attend court in person.
Due to Queensland laws banning the identity of accused rapists being made public, media were previously unable to report that the ‘high profile Toowoomba man’ in this case was Lehrmann.
Last October, however, legislation changes allowed for his name to be publicly released. This was due as part of Queensland’s response to the landmark Hear Her Voice report.
Later that month, Lehrmann’s lawyers sought a non-publication order, but this was refused by a Toowoomba magistrate. Justice Peter Applegarth found there was no compelling reason for a non-publication order to protect Lehrmann’s safety.
This is the first time Lehrmann has appeared in person at the court in Toowoomba– his former hometown. On all other occasions he has been excused from attendance.
The hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to take the case to trial, potentially in a superior court.
The complainant in the matter is expected to be cross-examined. Lehrmann’s lawyers have previously sought medical evidence and extensive phone text message records from the alleged victim.
While walking into the Toowoomba court Monday morning, Lehrmann walked through the media and was overheard saying “where’s Peter Costello when you need him?”, seemingly in reference to recent video footage showing the former Nine chairman allegedly assaulting a journalist.
Property damages
In a separate incident, Lehrmann has been accused of causing more than $13,000 in damage to a multimillion-dollar Sydney property he rented as part of an exclusive TV interview deal.
The owner of the property, Gaenor Meakes, rented it to Lehrmann with the Seven Network covering the $100,000 bill. She has since lodged proceedings against Lehrmann on the grounds of property damage and loss of rent.
Gaenor claims she is owed $6000 in lost rent because Lehrmann left the property three weeks early. She also told the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal that Lehrmann left the property with $13,250 in damage.
The case is due to return to the tribunal for further directions on June 27.
Defamation trial
Earlier this year, Lehrmann lost the defamation trial he brought upon Network Ten, over the TV interview that aired allegations he raped fellow Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in March 2019.
Justice Michael Lee determined that “on the balance of probabilities”, Lehrmann raped Higgins.
“Having escaped the lion’s den, Mr Lehrmann made the mistake of coming back for his hat,” Justice Michael Lee said in his judgment.
“He defended the criminal charge on a false basis, lied to police, and then allowed that lie to go uncorrected before the jury. He instructed his unwitting and hence blameless senior counsel to cross-examine a complainant of sexual assault, in two legal proceedings, on a knowingly false premise.”
If you need help or the details above raise issues for you, please call the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732.
Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14. Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636.
1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732.
MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78.