The eyewatering bill facing Linda Reynolds for suing Brittany Higgins no matter if she wins or loses – and the silver lining in paradise even as she’s forced to sell her house

1. Brittany Higgins’ social media post

On the second day of the trial, Ms Higgins took to Instagram to post a screenshot of a book she contributed to.

The book was called ‘How Many More Women’ by Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida, and detailed how laws around the world silence female victims.

Ms Higgins’ rape story was included in the first edition of the book, but was redacted in the original version due to the then-forthcoming court proceedings.

The book is now being republished with Ms Higgins’ story included.

She captioned the post, ‘pertinent reading,’ and was slammed in court by Linda Reynolds’ barrister Martin Bennett.

‘If Ms Higgins thinks she can provide a running commentary on my client, it’s extraordinarily inappropriate,’ he told the court.

‘One would hope someone would advise Ms Higgins to give up commentary.’

Ms Higgins’ lawyer Rachael Young SC said the post was a repost of a book that was published, rather than ‘an express reference to today’s proceeding’.

2. Linda Reynolds almost died, it was revealed

Brittany Higgins went public with her rape claims in 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.

Senate Question Time was held the day after Ms Higgins’ claims were broadcast and Ms Reynolds was grilled over the situation – to the point where she had a breakdown.

Last week, Ms Reynolds told the court she was having chest pain, her knees buckled, and she had to leave the Senate.

On Monday, her partner Robert Reid cried as he told the court she went to the hospital and the cardiologist said: ‘We might lose her.’

3. Labor senator Kimberley Kitching’s secrets

On Friday, Linda Reynolds broke down while telling the court that she blamed herself for Labor senator Kimberley Kitching’s death.

Ms Kitching had a fatal heart attack on March 10, 2022. She was 52.

Earlier in the 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 be the bearer of bad news.

Ms Kitching said Labor had found out about the rape that occurred in Ms Reynolds’ office and they were going to ‘rain down hell’ on her.

Ms Kitching found out about the rape via an anonymous email that was sent directly to her which outlined the rape, but did not mention Ms Higgins’ name.

She gave the letter to the Australian Federal Police, rather than her Labor colleagues.

On Friday, Ms Higgins’ lawyer asked Ms Reynolds about her statement earlier in the trial, when she said Ms Kitching’s decision to advise her about Labor’s plan led to her death.

‘I wanted to tell the truth,’ Senator Reynolds said crying uncontrollably.

‘It displays my guilt. If I hadn’t revealed her confidence to me … that’s when she was furious with me … what led to her being ostracised 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 gives evidence, fireworks follow

Linda Reynolds’ lawyers called Mr Morrison to give evidence, which he did via audio-visual link.

Mr Morrison spoke emphatically while cutting Ms Higgins’ barrister Rachael Young SC off a number of times, before apologising and allowing her to continue her line of questioning.

He tried to tell Ms Young her question wasn’t relevant, told her another question ‘puzzled’ him, and generally spoke as though he was at a press conference – fighting off questions he didn’t want to answer.

Justice Paul Tottle, who had largely remained silent since proceedings began, took more of an active role during Mr Morrison’s evidence.

At one stage, he said: ‘Mr Morrison, unless there is an objection to the question, and there hasn’t been, I would be grateful if you would answer the question.’

Mr Morrison defended Ms Reynolds, telling the court parliamentary processes let the senator and Ms Higgins down.