Minister Reynolds seeks advice on freezing Higgins’ assets in France

French authorities are being asked to help Australia freeze assets belonging to Brittany Higgins, the former Liberal staffer who accused Christian Porter of rape.

Linda Reynolds, the Australian Defence Minister, has written to the French Justice Minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, seeking his assistance in the matter.

Higgins has filed a civil lawsuit against Porter in Australia, but she has also launched an action in the United States under the Alien Tort Statute.

The United States law allows foreign nationals to sue foreign governments and their agents for human rights violations.

Higgins’ lawyers have argued that the Australian government is complicit in her alleged rape because it failed to protect her from Porter.

The Australian government has denied any wrongdoing.

In her letter to Dupond-Moretti, Reynolds said that the Australian government is seeking the freezing of Higgins’ assets in France to prevent her from selling them off before the outcome of her lawsuits.

“The Australian government is committed to ensuring that Ms Higgins has access to all the funds she needs to pursue her legal claims,” Reynolds wrote.

“However, we are concerned that Ms Higgins may attempt to sell her assets in France in order to raise funds for her legal defence.

“We are therefore seeking your assistance in freezing Ms Higgins’ assets in France until the outcome of the current legal proceedings.”

Dupond-Moretti has not yet responded to Reynolds’ letter.