Court Dismisses Lehrmann's Bid for Legal Protection
A Tasmanian magistrate has thrown out former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann's attempt to secure a restraining order against a Daily Mail journalist he accused of stalking him. The application against senior reporter Karleigh Smith was formally dismissed in Hobart Magistrates Court after both parties reached an agreement to resolve the matter.
Magistrate Jackie Hartnett acknowledged the "hard work" undertaken by the legal teams involved and confirmed that no application for costs would be made. The hearing, which had been scheduled for Thursday, concluded without requiring extensive arguments as the matter had been settled between the parties beforehand.
Background to the Legal Dispute
The conflict originated from a July article published by Daily Mail Australia under Smith's byline, which carried the provocative headline describing Lehrmann as a "despised party boy hiding at the end of the Earth." The piece detailed Lehrmann's life in Tasmania and prompted the legal action that has now been resolved.
Lehrmann's lawyer, Zali Burrows, had previously argued in court that Smith and a photographer had "dangerously" followed her client in a vehicle, including on a dirt road. Burrows claimed this pursuit went beyond mere journalism and posed actual risks. "Why is a journalist sitting in a car following a person closely behind? That potentially could have caused an accident," Burrows stated during July proceedings.
The defence team, represented by lawyer Nic Edmondson, countered that Smith was protected by journalistic exemptions within stalking legislation. Edmondson maintained that the reporter was legally entitled to follow Lehrmann, take photographs, and report on his activities as part of her professional duties.
Broader Legal Challenges for Former Staffer
This restraining order case represents just one of several legal matters currently involving Lehrmann. In a separate Hobart Magistrates Court proceeding, the former political staffer faces allegations of stealing a 4WD vehicle in southern Tasmania.
The court has ordered Lehrmann to provide medical documentation after he and his lawyer missed a scheduled appearance on November 7. Magistrate Hartnett has directed that Lehrmann must attend court in person in early December or face potential arrest. The thirty-year-old has denied the vehicle theft allegations, and multiple witnesses are expected to give evidence if the matter proceeds to hearing.
These recent legal developments follow the high-profile case from 2021 when Lehrmann was accused of raping fellow Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins at Parliament House. Although his criminal trial was abandoned in 2022 due to juror misconduct, the Federal Court ruled earlier this year that on the balance of probabilities the rape did occur. Lehrmann continues to deny all allegations and has appealed the defamation case ruling against Network Ten and presenter Lisa Wilkinson, with that appeal decision still pending.
