- Linda Reynolds' home in Perth is worth about $1.6million
- Selling would not be enough to cover defamation action
- READ MORE: Defamation trial, blow-by-blow
Linda Reynolds will be forced to sell her three-bedroom home, worth roughly $1.6million, following her costly defamation fight against Brittany Higgins - with insiders saying her legal bill could top $2million.
The Liberal senator launched defamation proceedings in the WA Supreme Court against Ms Higgins, her former employee, over social media posts that she claims damaged her reputation.
In the posts, Ms Higgins alleged Ms Reynolds failed to support her in the wake of her rape in 2019, and further accused her of trying to cover up the assault - which the senator strongly denies.
The hearing began on August 2 and is due to run for another three weeks with the assistance of 26 witnesses, including former prime minister Scott Morrison, colleagues, and family members.
Ms Reynolds previously said she remortgaged her house in Perth to cover her legal fees, but she told colleagues in the Coalition party room on Tuesday that she will have to sell it.
Property records show she bought the home with her partner Robert Reid for $1,050,000 in 2018, and would make around $600,000 profit if it was sold today - but that would not be enough to pay for the trial.
Legal insiders told Daily Mail Australia the case could be worth an estimated $2million by the time it's over, half of which Ms Reynolds may have to cover even if she wins.
But there may be a silver lining - she still owns a holiday home in Bali.
Linda Reynolds is pictured with her partner, Robert Reid, eating democracy sausages on election day
Linda Reynolds is pictured, far right, with her partner Robert Reid, centre
Ms Reynolds' Perth home has three bedrooms and a study, separate kitchen, lounge and dining areas, and an additional alfresco kitchen and gazebo that overlooks an inground pool.
Details of her Balinese retreat are unclear, but sources say the property could be on one of the smaller islands surrounding the main tourist haunts.
On January 18, Mr Reid posted about a short getaway on Facebook: 'Taking a break for a few days in the holiday home - always relaxing, always welcoming.
'Good to clear the head. And the coffee is good,' he wrote.
Mr Reid posted two photos overlooking swimming pools and beach-side cafes.
The post did not say whether Ms Reynolds went on holidays with him.
The following day, on January 19, Ms Reynolds told Daily Mail Australia that she had sought to freeze Ms Higgins' assets ahead of the defamation case.
In Canberra on Tuesday, Ms Reynolds told her colleagues in a private meeting that her legal fees would mean she would lose her home - but it was a cost she was willing to suffer to defend her reputation.
Linda Reynolds held a celebration at the Perth home after the LNP won the 2019 election. Brittany Higgins can be seen sitting at the back in black, holding a champagne glass
She also made it clear that she was not trying to harm the Coalition's chance of winning the forthcoming federal election, but she believes the Labor Party are 'dogs' who destroyed her life.
Appearing in court every day on Ms Reynolds' behalf is high-flying Perth-based lawyer Martin Bennett and two additional solicitors from his firm - which legal experts say is likely costing her about $20,000 a day.
If Ms Reynolds lost the case, she would have to cover Ms Higgins' legal fees, which means she could be liable for about $2million, insiders said.
If Justice Paul Tottle ruled in Ms Reynolds' favour, Ms Higgins would have to cover the cost of the trial.
In the event Ms Higgins' couldn't afford it, Ms Reynolds would be left to pay her own bill.
Ms Higgins was given $2.4million in compensation in December 2022 following the outcome of a civil claim against the Commonwealth, but it is understood there is very few funds left over.
Linda Reynolds also owns a property in Bali. In January, her partner posted a photo (pictured) of their 'holiday home'
Photos of the Bali trip showed swimming pools and beach-side cafes (pictured)
The former staffer and her husband David Sharaz have been on a number of holidays since the payout.
They bought a $600,000 home in France, are often spotted out and about in designer clothes, and got married in a lavish ceremony in Queensland worth an estimated $100,000.
Mr Sharaz worked freelance for an advertising business in London, but he has not had consistent employment since February 2023.
Earlier this year, the couple said they would have to sell their home in France to cover the cost of the trial. They are also expecting their first child.
On the second day of the hearing last week, an online fundraiser was set up cover Ms Higgins' 'ongoing medical, counselling and legal costs'.
The money will be held in a trust by her Perth lawyers and will not be directly accessible by Ms Higgins or her husband David Sharaz, and therefore protected from the defamation litigation.
Ms Higgins will give evidence in the last week of August.
Four key moments so far in Linda Reynolds v. Brittany Higgins
1. Brittany Higgins' social media post
On the second day of the trial, Ms Higgins took to Instagram to post a screenshot of a book she contributed to.
The book was called 'How Many More Women' by Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida, and detailed how laws around the world silence female victims.
Ms Higgins' rape story was included in the first edition of the book, but was redacted in the original version due to the then-forthcoming court proceedings.
The book is now being republished with Ms Higgins' story included.
She captioned the post, 'pertinent reading,' and was slammed in court by Linda Reynolds' barrister Martin Bennett.
'If Ms Higgins thinks she can provide a running commentary on my client, it's extraordinarily inappropriate,' he told the court.
'One would hope someone would advise Ms Higgins to give up commentary.'
Ms Higgins' lawyer Rachael Young SC said the post was a repost of a book that was published, rather than 'an express reference to today's proceeding'.
2. Linda Reynolds almost died, it was revealed
Brittany Higgins went public with her rape claims in an episode of Network Ten's The Project on February 15, 2021.
During the episode, she accused Linda Reynolds of trying to cover up the rape - which took place two years earlier, in March 2019.
Senate Question Time was held the day after Ms Higgins' claims were broadcast and Ms Reynolds was grilled over the situation - to the point where she had a breakdown.
Last week, Ms Reynolds told the court she was having chest pain, her knees buckled, and she had to leave the Senate.
On Monday, her partner Robert Reid cried as he told the court she went to the hospital and the cardiologist said: 'We might lose her.'
3. Labor senator Kimberley Kitching's secrets
On Friday, Linda Reynolds broke down while telling the court that she blamed herself for Labor senator Kimberley Kitching's death.
Ms Kitching had a fatal heart attack on March 10, 2022. She was 52.
Earlier in the week, Ms Reynolds told the court that Ms Kitching approached her after morning prayers in Parliament House in 2021 and said she was sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Ms Kitching said Labor had found out about the rape that occurred in Ms Reynolds' office and they were going to 'rain down hell' on her.
Ms Kitching found out about the rape via an anonymous email that was sent directly to her which outlined the rape, but did not mention Ms Higgins' name.
She gave the letter to the Australian Federal Police, rather than her Labor colleagues.
On Friday, Ms Higgins' lawyer asked Ms Reynolds about her statement earlier in the trial, when she said Ms Kitching's decision to advise her about Labor's plan led to her death.
'I wanted to tell the truth,' Senator Reynolds said crying uncontrollably.
'It displays my guilt. If I hadn't revealed her confidence to me ... that's when she was furious with me ... what led to her being ostracised by Labor.
'I believe what I said ... caused them to bully her to death. I carry a great deal of guilt.'
4. Former prime minister Scott Morrison gives evidence, fireworks follow
Linda Reynolds' lawyers called Mr Morrison to give evidence, which he did via audio-visual link.
Mr Morrison spoke emphatically while cutting Ms Higgins' barrister Rachael Young SC off a number of times, before apologising and allowing her to continue her line of questioning.
He tried to tell Ms Young her question wasn't relevant, told her another question 'puzzled' him, and generally spoke as though he was at a press conference - fighting off questions he didn't want to answer.
Justice Paul Tottle, who had largely remained silent since proceedings began, took more of an active role during Mr Morrison's evidence.
At one stage, he said: 'Mr Morrison, unless there is an objection to the question, and there hasn't been, I would be grateful if you would answer the question.'
Mr Morrison defended Ms Reynolds, telling the court parliamentary processes let the senator and Ms Higgins down.
Brittany Higgins is pictured outside the Federal Court in Sydney in December
