The trial, which began on November 22, is set to enter its final week and is expected to wrap up on Friday.

Lehrmann claims a February 2021 report by The Project where Lisa Wilkinson interviewed Higgins was defamatory and ruined his reputation despite not actually naming him.

He has continually denied the allegation he raped Higgins in the ministerial suite of their then boss Senator Linda Reynolds about 1.30am on March 23, 2019.

Both Lehrmann and Higgins have given evidence in the case for several days each and faced significant attacks on their credibility and honesty.

The trial is now well into Ten and Wilkinson’s evidence with a line-up of witnesses called to back up claims Higgins was sexually assaulted.

So far the Federal Court has heard that the junior media adviser was seen drunk entering Parliament House with Lehrmann that night, they were seen kissing at a Canberra nightclub earlier, and that she broke down in a colleague’s arms days afterwards.

Lehrmann was charged in August 2021 over the alleged rape, but his criminal trial in the ACT Supreme Court was derailed by juror misconduct.

Prosecutors did not seek a second trial, citing concerns for Higgins’ mental health.

Lehrmann is also before Queensland courts accused of raping another woman twice in Toowoomba in October 2021.

He has not yet entered a plea, but his lawyers have indicated he denies the charges.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

– AAP