After five years, one aborted criminal trial and millions of dollars in legal fees, Justice Michael Lee handed down his judgment in the defamation case that Bruce Lehrmann brought against Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson.
Justice Lee found that Bruce Lehrmann had raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House, and dismissed Lehrmann’s defamation claim.
The judgment, which was delayed at the 11th hour, was delivered in great, and at times colourful, detail.
The decision does not amount to a finding of criminal guilt. Lehrmann’s criminal trial was aborted in October 2022 due to juror misconduct and the charges were later dropped altogether owing to concerns about Higgins’ mental health.
Today, legal affairs reporter Michaela Whitbourn on the extraordinary findings from an at-times squalid and politically and socially charged case, and what it means for everyone involved.
And, a warning for listeners, this episode contains repeated descriptions of sexual assault. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unpacking the extraordinary Bruce Lehrmann judgment

The Morning Edition (formerly Please Explain) brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

News

Government

Daily News

This week in politics was dominated by the tragedy of gendered violence, and what measures the Albanese government will adopt to tackle it. Hit by a wave of national anger over a spate of murders of women by men, the PM convened an emergency National Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. So what did he announce, and how much can the federal government do on this issue of domestic violence?
We also examine how a released immigration detainee was able to allegedly attack and severely beat a 77-year-old woman in Perth. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the public’s safety was the government’s priority. But now she is facing calls to resign, along with Immigration Minister Andrew Giles.
Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss is national political correspondent David Crowe, and federal reporters Natassia Chrysanthos and Angus Thomson.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Politics: So much talk, but will anything be done on domestic violence?

Nearly 200 years ago, the industrial revolution radically upended how people experienced the world - where they lived, what work they did, and the sort of stress they endured. And now? We’re on the precipice of the next industrial revolution.
The advent of quantum computers will likely be able to help countries win wars and solve some of our trickiest social problems, according to experts.

Today, international and political editor Peter Hartcher on just how soon the technology that Albert Einstein once called “spooky” could change our lives. And what its inherent dangers might be. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next major tech breakthrough that's the size of an atom

When you think about live streaming, you might picture mainstream social media sites, but its popularity has skyrocketed on other platforms.
With a focus on gaming, Twitch emerged as a live streaming giant over the past decade. Now, there’s a new player making noise – and some of it’s troubling.
Edward Craven, the founder of Stake.com and the youngest billionaire in Australia has gone on to co-create the streaming platform Kick.
Today, investigative reporter Patrick Begley on a platform described as a “playground for degenerates”, and the risks it poses to vulnerable people. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Playground for degenerates': Inside Australian livestreaming giant

So far this year, 27 Australian women have been murdered. Nine of the alleged perpetrators were under the age of 30. 
Erica Hay, Molly Ticehurst, Emma Bates and Hannah McGuire were all allegedly murdered over the past few weeks. And in the horrific stabbing spree at Bondi Junction, five of the six victims were women.
Politicians at the state and federal level are now facing pressure to take action and deliver real solutions to what’s been described as a national crisis.
Today, chief reporter Jordan Baker on Australia’s shame and the entrenched culture of misogyny and gendered violence that continues to shape young men.

If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 'climate of fear' for Australian women

The cost of well, almost everything, has skyrocketed. From petrol prices, to rent and mortgages, to insurance premiums and to the supermarket shop with cereal, bread and eggs all costing more.
And now, a new report says Australians have suffered the biggest increase in the average tax rates in the developed world, with New Zealand a close second.
So why did we end up with the biggest tax increase? And what have been some of the worst price increases we’ve seen over the last few years?
Today, senior economics correspondent Shane Wright on these pressures, and what the government could do about it. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unpacking the extraordinary Bruce Lehrmann judgment

Download our free app to listen on your phone