Brittany Higgins settles personal injury claim against the commonwealth

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has settled her personal injury claim against the commonwealth after a short mediation, according to her lawyers, but the dollar value of the settlement will remain confidential.

News that Higgins would pursue the personal injury claim coincided with a decision by prosecutors to drop charges against Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Higgins because of concern another trial would risk her wellbeing.

Lehrmann had maintained his innocence to allegations that he raped Higgins, a colleague and fellow political staffer, in the office of the then-defence industry minister, Linda Reynolds, in March 2019.

The Lehrmann case collapsed due to juror misconduct last month. The collapse of the trial leaves Lehrmann with the presumption of innocence. He pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual intercourse without consent and has always maintained that no sexual activity occurred between him and Higgins.

The concerns about police conduct are now being examined by the law enforcement watchdog, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.

The cabinet met on Monday afternoon and discussed the possibility of a broad-ranging, independent inquiry.