The man accused of raping former political staffer Brittany Higgins in the Parliamentary office of the former Minister of Defence Linda Reynolds was always going to be one of Australia’s most high-profile and politically-charged rape trials, after Higgins shared her allegations in the news media 18 months ago.

Her story triggered a public outpouring of support and demand for accountability, not just for her alleged rapist - another former staffer Bruce Lehrmann- but for the political system that failed her. 

Lehrmann has pleaded not guilty to having sexual intercourse with Higgins without consent and being reckless as to whether she was consenting. 

Today on Please Explain, senior writer and columnist Jacqueline Maley joins Kate Aubusson to talk through the trial so far.

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