At a press conference ahead of QT, Zali Steggall was asked by a News Corp journalist if she believed the government had ‘dealt fairly’ with Linda Reynolds and her former chief of staff Fiona Brown in it’s agreement with Brittany Higgins.

A reminder that Higgins was paid out for what she experienced in her workplace in what a judge in a civil case found was rape.

If you have been reading News Corp you know why they asked the question and why. Steggall wasn’t playing and responded:

I don’t have any comment in relation to the government’s dealings with them. But I should say my sympathies are with Brittany Higgins who was found by a court to have been assaulted in her workplace, and all of us as employers take seriously that responsibility. 

And I should say, the ordeal she has been put through – and  yes, she was found to have defamed Ms Reynolds – but I don’t think any of us, and you in particular as a young woman, would ever consider putting yourself in the shoes of a person has been sexually assaulted in her workplace. 

I think the continued harassment and pursuing of this issue is disgusting.

After the press conference Steggall released a statement saying:

I accept that the defamation claims against Higgins were upheld by a court. But I’m concerned pursuing those proceeding reinforces the chilling effect defamation proceedings have over victims of sexual assault.

Brittany’s courage in coming forward led to the Set the Standard report and the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service which hopefully means Parliament House is a better workplace for everyone.