Lisa Wilkinson denies asking Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek to interrogate parliamentarians about Brittany Higgins.
On Sunday night, Channel 7’s Spotlight revealed that she had off-the-record chats with Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz about which politicians could advance the narrative.
The former anchor of Channel 10’s The Project claimed she had never discussed the subject with any politicians, including Mr Albanese or Ms Plibersek, after the taped chat.
“Nor did I speak to any other politicians, their minders or apparatchiks,” she claimed on June 6.
Sunrise anchor Natalie Barr questioned if Wilkinson “coached” Ms Higgins on her 2021 interview replies.
Channel 7 aired snippets from The Project’s interviews on Sunday night using CCTV and audio never previously seen or heard.
Wilkinson tells Ms Higgins she does not want “to put words in your mouth” but wants to explore Parliament House culture in an off-the-record conversation.
“I have every confidence that you will answer that very eloquently,” Wilkinson replies.
“I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but if you can say that this place is all about suppressing people’s natural sense of justice.”
Wilkinson’s conversation before the sit-down interview included Mr. Sharaz.
Mr. Sharaz adds they “are not stupid” and understand it is “transactional” and asks Wilkinson what she wants.
It’s not transactional for Wilkinson.
“No. White privilege, masculine dominance, criminal activities. Western Sydney is my home. “People who deserve to be heard not being heard has always motivated me,” she adds.
Channel 10 provided the audio under subpoena during the criminal trial, but the jury never heard most of it.
Bruce Lehrmann sued Wilkinson and Channel 10 for slander in Federal Court.
Barr questioned entertainment expert Peter Ford if Wilkinson and Ms. Higgins’ audio was an issue on Sunrise.
“Was that coaching or a journalist talking before the interview?” she inquired.
“It’s a fine line.” Ford said.
“But I usually think when someone says, ‘I don’t want to put words in your mouth,’ they do.”
“They have to answer questions at Question Time, it’s a mess for them,” Mr. Sharaz said in a trial excerpt.
Mr. Sharaz claims he has a Labor buddy, Katy Gallagher, who will investigate and continue it.
Wilkinson also criticizes Julie Bishop.
Wilkinson says Julie had several chances to speak out against the culture. “What was one woman, deputy to 13 prime ministers during her time in parliament?”
Mr. Sharaz adds, “Always loyal, too. Bridesmaid, never bride.”
After leaving, she commented, ‘Oh it’s terribly sexist.’ “I tried to get her on the record so many times when she could’ve actually effected change, and she wouldn’t,” Wilkinson says.
Ms. Bishop may speak out or support Michaelia Cash and Linda Reynolds.
“They’re all Perth girls,” Wilkinson adds. Ms. Higgins claims “they were never friends”.
“I don’t know why, but they never liked each other,” Ms Higgins adds in the tape.
Mr. Sharaz continues, “Julie has no friends.”
