Partly inspired by the public allegations of rape against Brittany Higgins, Tame Grace felt the need to start showing their newly obtained voice recordings that may have strained their relationship.
The conversation recorded between political journalist Samantha Maiden and Ms. Higgins, as part of a special episode about the fallout from the failed rape trial of Lehrmann, was featured on Spotlight 7News last Sunday night.
Following the accusation of sexual assault against Mr. Lehrmann, a mere six months after Ms. Maiden initially made public Ms. Higgins’ rape claims, the conversation, which was obtained by Daily Mail Australia, was documented on August 30, 2021.
In 2019, following an evening out, the ex-Liberal staff member claimed that Mr Lehrmann sexually assaulted her within Parliament House, her previous coworker. He has consistently refuted these accusations.
Ms Maiden inquired, “Is there anything bothering you that you need to discuss with me?”
Ms Higgins responded, “Grace Tame annoyed me just now, so I’m feeling a bit on edge, but it’s okay.”
In February 2022, while speaking at the National Press Club jointly, featuring side by side on the front cover of Marie Claire, and frequently participating in the same gatherings, they seemed to have a strong bond, thus the remark was unexpected.
Ms Tame, who previously referred to the former employee as ‘a national hero’, a ‘warrior’, and ‘my friend’, seemed to remove photos of Ms Higgins from her Instagram profile when speculations about a deteriorating friendship arose in June of this year.
However, voice recordings – acquired by Daily Mail Australia – indicate that their friendship may have been tense for approximately two years.
The Q&A program panel on ABC invited Tame Ms to appear because the former Liberal staffer expressed frustration related to the Spotlight on Ms Higgins and Ms Maiden’s conversation, which was not covered in the August 2021 episode.
Ms Maiden inquired, “What actions did she take?” Subsequent to Ms Higgins expressing her frustration towards Ms Tame for consenting to participate in the show.
Ms Higgins replied, “She will solely engage in this Q&A session with [reporter and presenter] David Speers concerning internal protocols in Parliament.
It’s just that you don’t really know about the internal processes of Parliament and what you’re talking about when you comment about it.
Prior to that month, Mr. Lehrmann had faced accusations of sexual assault, considering how Ms. Tame expressed her emotions, Ms. Higgins stated that she would exercise self-control and refrain from disclosing the details.
Ms. Higgins was not advised to speak publicly about her allegations of rape at the time, as she said anything that could imply Mr. Lehrmann was guilty could prejudice the jury against him.
Ms Tame was a teenager when she was manipulated and sexually assaulted by her high school mathematics instructor.
She actively participated in a movement to amend laws that barred victims from publicly sharing their experiences, specifically targeting perpetrators.
Within the premises of Parliament House, Ms Higgins expressed her disapproval of Ms Tame addressing certain matters, although she did not have any objections to Ms Tame advocating for individuals who have experienced sexual assault over the phone conversation.
Instead of directly addressing the issues of police assault sexual reporting and women’s safety when faced with victims’ concerns, she did not speak about them in Parliament. However, Ms. Tame did not appear in the September 2021 Q&A.
In the same discussion, Ms Higgins stated that conversing with Ms Tame was ‘challenging’ because ‘she fails to comprehend’.
“You have [reporter] Nina Funnell acting as a mediator every time we become confrontational,” she added.
Following the provision of complimentary legal assistance, Ms Tame became a prime example in the #LetHerSpeak initiative devised by Ms Funnell, in conjunction with Marque Lawyers, News Corp, and two organizations dedicated to combating sexual abuse.
That campaign ultimately resulted in the laws in Tasmania being modified, which attracted approximately twelve survivors.
Ms Tame was awarded the prestigious title of Australian of the Year on January 25, 2021, which occurred over six months after the discussion between Ms Higgins and Ms Maiden happened in August 2021.
In a preliminary version of her memoir, #NotJustADaughter, Ms Higgins expressed feeling devastated when she witnessed former prime minister Scott Morrison presenting Ms Tame with her accolade.
“Devastated with agony I couldn’t fully comprehend, I was reliving 2019,” she expressed.
When the employees of the Office of the Prime Minister intimidated and manipulated me into remaining quiet.
‘On this stage stood the prime minister himself, presenting a commendation to a youthful lady who advocated for the #LetUsSpeak movement.’
Ms. Higgins also referred to herself as a B-grade version of Tame Grace, stating that she exists outside and beyond the political bubble, revered and awarded by the closed case court.
I am here, wrestling with the pigs in the mud, to keep up with the daily news cycle. Over there, there is a voicemail, and here is a WhatsApp message: Throwing mud. I’ll drop a message to Sam, too.
In July 2021, Ms Tame’s award was inspired by the allegations made against her. Ms Maiden informed Ms Higgins about this in her draft book, mentioning those remarks as the reason for the public’s interest.
‘What was the trigger for you to say, “I need to talk about it publicly”?’ Ms Maiden asked, in the recorded call.
Ms Higgins pondered over it and finally remarked, ‘The Australian of the Year matter influenced it’.
Maiden Ms suggested that anyone else who wanted to air allegations against Higgins Ms should agree, because she didn’t want it to happen.
Ms Tame is still not following Ms Higgins’ public Instagram account.
The trial fell apart when a juror brought prohibited research material into the courtroom, however, Mr. Lehrmann faced trial in the ACT Supreme Court in October of last year.
In December, Shane Drumgold, the ACT’s Director of Public Prosecutions, entirely dismissed the accusation, expressing apprehensions regarding Ms Higgins’ psychological welfare.
Ms Lehrmann had entered a plea of not guilty, but a verdict was not reached.
He is presently filing a lawsuit against Channel 10, Lisa Wilkinson, and the ABC for defamation. The trial is set to start in November.