Senator Linda Reynolds has launched another lawsuit against Brittany Higgins and the company overseeing the trust fund protecting the former political staffer’s multimillion-dollar payout.
Ms Higgins received a $2.4 million commonwealth compensation payment in December 2021 for hurt and distress, lost earnings, medical expenses and legal fees following her alleged rape in Parliament House.
According to a writ lodged in the West Australian Supreme Court by Reynolds’ legal team on Thursday, Power Blazers Pty Ltd acts as trustee for the Brittany Higgins Protective Trust.
The company was appointed to the role after Ms Higgins retired as trustee in February 2022.
Senator Reynolds claims the trust was created “with the intention of defeating or delaying” Ms Higgins’ creditors, of which she is one.
The senator wants the court to void the trust and for the money, which is believed to be a significant portion of the $2.4 million payout, to be transferred back into Ms Higgins’ control.
The fresh lawsuit comes as the senator’s defamation trial against Ms Higgins over a series of social media posts comes to a close.
Senator Reynolds believes the posts damaged her reputation and is seeking aggravated damages.
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