Albanese Confronts Reporter Over Higgins Compensation Inquiry

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced scrutiny during a press conference on November 17, 2025, as he responded to questions regarding the government’s handling of the $2.4 million taxpayer-funded compensation awarded to Brittany Higgins. The compensation was related to Higgins’ allegations of mistreatment following her rape complaint in 2019, which has sparked ongoing controversy and legal battles.

During the tense exchange, a reporter confronted Albanese about claims that Labor ministers Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher had falsely accused former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds of orchestrating a political cover-up concerning Higgins’ allegations. The reporter referenced findings from a federal judge and a Western Australian Supreme Court judge, who determined that Higgins’ claims of a cover-up were not only false but also dishonest.

Albanese’s response was curt. After acknowledging the reporter’s question, he stated, “A judge found the issue on Brittany Higgins very different from the way that you characterize it.” He then quickly shifted focus, leaving the matter unaddressed.

The controversy surrounding the compensation payment has intensified following revelations from Reynolds’ defamation suit against Higgins. The Western Australian Supreme Court ruled that Higgins had made “objectively false statements” regarding Reynolds’ involvement in a political cover-up. In a separate ruling, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee confirmed that while Higgins was raped by her former colleague Bruce Lehrmann, the narrative of a political cover-up was rejected.

Reynolds, who was the Minister for Defence Industry at the time of the incident, has claimed that she was excluded from negotiations regarding the settlement. She is now pursuing legal action against the Commonwealth and the law firm HWL Ebsworth, asserting that the Commonwealth took control of her defense without her consent.

The Coalition has criticized the handling of the settlement process, calling for transparency and accountability. Andrew Wallace, the Shadow Attorney-General, emphasized the need for the Attorney-General’s department to disclose all correspondence related to the payout. He stated, “The public deserves to know what happened, why it happened, and how it happened,” underscoring the expectation for the Commonwealth to act as a model litigant.

The inquiry into the compensation payment and the surrounding allegations continues to generate significant public interest, with many calling for clarity on the government’s response to such serious claims. As the situation develops, the implications for those involved remain significant, both legally and politically.