Lisa Wilkinson has hired an Australian senior lawyer just hours after she was criticized on breakfast television for her “ill-advised” speech at the Logie Awards.
Dr. Matthew Collins told Sunrise on Wednesday that it was a “serious possibility” that the media personality could face legal issues after his speech delayed Brittany Higgins’ rape trial.
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Collins is reportedly approached to represent Wilkinson and Network 10 later that day amid concerns that she could be charged with contempt of court or similar offenses.
During his interview on the Seven Breakfast program, the President of the Australian Bar Association explained how the TV star’s decision to refer to Higgins when he took the stage after winning a prize was wrong.
“Certainly, the authorities may be looking at the speech he made to the Lodges and evaluating it against the standard that applies in this branch of the law,” senior attorney David Koch and Natalie Barr said. .
“That standard is, is there anything she tends to interfere with the administration of justice?”
Trial for Higgins rape defendant postponed after Lisa Wilkinson’s Logies speech
Lisa Wilkinson could now face an investigation for her “disregarded” speech by Logies
Collins said Wilkinson’s speech was “ill-advised” and that a veteran of the media should have known better.
“Hopefully, whenever the media is contemplating publishing a story about a serious criminal trial that is about to begin, they will be in tune with the potential risks,” he added.
“The mainstream media understands the inherent risk of talking about cases that are about to go to trial, especially high-profile serious cases.
“It simply came to our notice then.
“The concern is that potential jurors whose job it is to enforce the presumption of innocence and focus on trial evidence may be influenced by things they have been exposed to in the media and on social media.” .
See the full Collins interview with Sunrise on the video player below
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A spokesman for Ten confirmed in a statement that the network had hired Collins and said the management “fully supported Lisa Wilkinson”.
“Both Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson take their legal obligations very seriously, including the preparation and presentation of their speech at the Logies event,” they said.
“In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Brittany Higgins’ rape trial was delayed
It comes after ACT Supreme Court President Lucy McCallum chose to delay the trial of Bruce Lehrmann, the man accused of sexually assaulting his Liberal partner Brittany Higgins in a parliamentary office, on Tuesday. in 2019, due to Wilkinson’s speech and the publicity it generated. .
Lehrmann was due to stand trial next week for alleged rape and pleaded not guilty.
Judge McCallum told the court he had postponed the criminal trial indefinitely “with clenched teeth” after Lehrmann’s defense team requested a temporary stay.
“Unfortunately, however, recent (speech) advertising is changing, in my view, the landscape,” he said.
“Because of its immediacy, its intensity and its ability to erase the important distinction between an allegation that remains unproven in law.
The trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins inside Parliament has been delayed following a speech by Lisa Wilkinson’s Logie Awards. Credit: Instagram Bruce Lehrmann is accused of sexually assaulting a Higgins Liberal Party colleague in a parliamentary office in 2019. Credit: Instagram
It was also revealed that Wilkinson was warned four days before the Lodge on Sunday that it could hamper the trial by talking about Higgins on awards night.
Despite the precaution, the 62-year-old woman took to the stage after winning the award for most prominent news coverage or public affairs report for her January 2021 interview with the alleged rape victim. .
“Despite this clear and appropriate warning, upon receiving the award, Ms. Wilkinson delivered a speech in which she referred openly and praised the complainant in the present trial,” Judge McCallum said.
“It is not surprising that the award and the content of the speech have been the subject of further comment.”
Wilkinson delivered the speech even though he was warned not to. Credit: Getty Images
Judge McCallum said the important publicity had now “blurred” the distinction between a complaint and a guilty plea.
“The general public believes that guilt is established. The importance of the rule of law has been zeroed.”
A hearing will be held on Thursday to determine if and when a new trial date can be set.
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