Ex-Lib staffer denies sex assault

A FORMER Liberal Party staffer charged with sexually assaulting then-colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House has pleaded not guilty.

Bruce Lehrmann, 26, has been charged with sexual intercourse without consent, which carries a maximum 12-year prison sentence. But he did not personally appear before the ACT Magistrate on Thursday.

Instead Mr Lehrmann’s lawyer John Korn advised Magistrate Beth Campbell that he had “been instructed to enter a plea of not guilty” on behalf of his client.

“That’s to the allegation that on the 23rd of March 2019, your client engaged in sexual intercourse with Brittany Higgins, without her consent?” Ms Campbell said in response.

Mr Korn requested a four-week adjournment to ensure the brief of evidence provided by the ACT Department of Public was complete.

Ms Campbell said the matter would be adjourned until October 14 for a committal “by consent I assume” to a trial in the Supreme Court.

It was also agreed Mr Lehrmann, who is in Queensland, would be allowed to appear virtually via video or telephone.

“I’ve noted the defendant can appear virtually for the commitment but he will need to appear in some way on that occasion, Mr Korn,” Ms Campbell said.

In August, Mr Korn said Mr Lehrmann would reject the allegation there was sexual intercourse.

“My client absolutely and unequivocally denies that any form of sexual activity took place at all,” Mr Korn told the court.

Police will allege Mr Lehrmann had sexual intercourse without consent with Ms Higgins at Parliament House in Canberra on March 23, 2019.