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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Blake Foden

DPP given partial brief of evidence in Higgins rape case

Brittany Higgins, who alleges she was raped inside Parliament House. Picture: Karleen Minney

Police investigating the alleged rape of former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins have given the ACT's top prosecutor a partial brief of evidence as charges against the suspected perpetrator are weighed up.

The territory's Director of Public Prosecutions, Shane Drumgold SC, revealed the development on Monday afternoon.

"Today, we received a partial brief of evidence and a request to provide advice for consideration of prosecution," Mr Drumgold told The Canberra Times.

ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold SC. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

The news comes four months after Ms Higgins went public with allegations a former colleague sexually assaulted her at Parliament House when the pair worked there in March 2019.

Ms Higgins has alleged she was attacked inside the office of federal government minister Linda Reynolds.

A team of five police officers, headed up by a detective inspector, has been investigating the claims since Ms Higgins made a formal statement in February this year.

Ms Higgins' allegations triggered a number of political inquiries.

Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw also told Senate estimates in May that police had received 40 reports about 19 incidents of alleged misconduct involving federal members of parliament and their staff in the wake of Ms Higgins coming forward.

An ACT Policing spokesman declined to comment on the case on Monday.

It is unclear whether investigators have interviewed the alleged rapist.

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