Network Ten

The judge hearing a trial in defamation cases by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann against TV broadcasters ABC and Ten has said he expects both Lehrmann and alleged rape victim Brittany Higgins to take the witness stand.

A judge has hit former Network Ten political editor Peter van Onselen with costs, after finding he breached a non-disparagement clause in an agreement with the broadcaster by criticising his old employer in an article written for The Australian.

ABC and Network Ten have dropped their fight in a defamation case by former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann over missing CCTV footage from the night of Brittany Higgins' alleged rape, after learning the footage was automatically overridden.

A court has found that former Network Ten political editor Peter van Onselen breached a non-disparagement clause in an agreement with the broadcaster by criticising his old employer in an article penned for the The Australian.

ABC and Network Ten are “very concerned” that Parliament House claims to not have CCTV footage from the night former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann allegedly raped Brittany Higgins, and have flagged an application to question a government officer over the claim.

Ex-Network Ten political editor Peter van Onselen has told a judge he was worried when he signed a disputed non-disparagement agreement that the broadcaster would “hang him out to dry” in a sex discrimination lawsuit by a former reporter.

Accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann has won his bid to bring defamation cases against News Corp and Network Ten despite the expiry of a 12-month limitation period.

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has faced cross-examination over text messages to his girlfriend in which he said he received legal advice that he could get “millions” if he filed a defamation case against Network Ten over its airing of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations, a court has heard.

Network Ten and News Corp have mounted truth defences in response to a defamation suit by accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann, arguing the claim that he raped fellow Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 is substantially true.

A judge has expressed “reluctance” at a bid for accused rapist Bruce Lehrmann to face cross-examination at an upcoming hearing over whether his defamation claims against Network Ten, News Corp and two journalists should be tossed for being brought out of time.