- Brown - I called Duncan Lewis who didn't know anything about this and not too good friends with Bruce.
- Minister - wevee been trying to issue the end of contract papers to him but he wont come in.
- I said first concerns about Brittany weneed to get her in contact with SACAT in ACTAP. Reg will ensure she is given specialist support + access to appropriate services. I want to understand what happened if there are any criminal charges that need to be investigated.
- I also have concerns from info I heard that this may have happened before or could happen again. (I was referring to info that alleged victim may have been drugged).
- Paul - we need to speak toa range of people. Security staff cleaners may have info
- I said - we will need to speak to president of senate and other Presiding officer to give us access to CCTV + advise an investigation will require us to spend various people at APH.
- Minister- she has already advised the special minister for state. Meeting concluded. Minister expressed gratitude that the AFP was taking charge of the matter.
- Fiona Brown Paul Sherring + had a further brief conversation in the other room.
- Brown went over details reviewing concerns about Bruce.
- She then said that there was cleaning done in the office. She wasn't sure why the office had been cleaned although there is an email or something that seems to have been sent.
- I said we will wait to understand how that occurred what security+ cleaners saw, heard+ did and why.
- Paul+ I then left the minister's office.
- (8) The same day, Ms Brown tried to contact Mr Lehrmann to arrange a meeting but was unsuccessful, she then received advice from the Advice and Support Branch of M&PS as to the appropriate procedure, including the provision of the show cause letter; which was sent on 4 April (Ex 23). Following receipt of a response, the Minister reached the conclusion that Mr Lehrmann had engaged in serious misconduct, had breached the Ministerial staff standards, and proceeded to terminate him.
648 I pause here to deal with some submissions made by Network Ten. In doing so, it is useful to bear in mind the incomplete and somewhat confused information about the alleged rape as at 4 April, which is well illustrated by the recently tendered evidence of the note made that day by Assistant Commissioner Close, as set out above (including its reference to the
Lehrmann v Network Ten Pty Limited (Trial Judgment) [2024] FCA 369
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