Mediation talks between former Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, Brittany Higgins, and her partner David Sharaz have been postponed, the Supreme Court of Western Australia confirmed. The discussions, aimed at resolving a defamation case brought by Reynolds against Higgins and Sharaz, were put on hold following unsuccessful initial talks. Reynolds proposed a two-week break after a particularly challenging day, leading to the cancellation of the planned discussions for Wednesday.

The case stems from allegations made by Higgins, who claimed she was raped by a colleague in Reynolds’ office, against the backdrop of accusations of defamation related to social media posts. Higgins accused Reynolds of defamation through posts on her social media, while Sharaz is implicated for allegedly defamatory tweets. The court has suggested the parties seek an agreement outside of court to avoid a costly trial, with mediation anticipated to continue at a later date.

Following the intense negotiations, Reynolds acknowledged the need for a pause, highlighting the stressful nature of legal discussions. Higgins, having returned to Australia from France for the hearings, expressed optimism about achieving a positive resolution, despite the emotional toll of being back in Perth. Both parties appear committed to proceeding in good faith, albeit with current discussions on hold as they seek a break from the legal proceedings.