Bruce Lehrmann Defamation Appeal Continues

Australian man Bruce Lehrmann is currently pursuing a defamation appeal in the Federal Court, challenging a 2024 ruling. Lehrmann claims that, although he was not explicitly named on the 2021 television program The Project, viewers could identify him, prompting him to file the defamation lawsuit.

In April 2024, Judge Michael Lee ruled that Higgins’ 2019 rape allegations against Lehrmann were substantiated and that the media coverage was accurate and not defamatory. In this appeal, Lehrmann argues that the media reports described the assault as more violent than it actually was, and that the court did not provide sufficient procedural fairness. His lawyer contends that Lehrmann became a “national laughingstock” due to the coverage and seeks substantial damages to restore his reputation. The appeal hearing is expected to last three days, with lawyers debating procedural fairness and the scope of reporting.

The case highlights the tension between the sensitivity of sexual assault allegations and the protection of victims, while Lehrmann’s supporters focus on the long-term reputational harm caused by media reporting. Legal experts say the appeal could become a key test of the balance between Australia’s defamation law and media freedom.