Lehrmann Takes Legal Fight to Federal Court Over NACC Probe

Bruce Lehrmann has taken his battle with Australia’s national corruption watchdog to the Federal Court and has launched a new legal challenge relating to how it managed its investigation into him.

The former Liberal staffer, who is already appealing a significant defamation loss, is now representing himself and is trying to reclaim the legal fees and challenge secrecy clauses he claims leaves him unfairly exposed.

Claims of Unfair Process and "James Bond-Style" Allegations

Lehrmann’s application is aimed at Special Minister of State Don Farrell and National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Commissioner Paul Brereton. He is seeking the court to order that his legal fees are reimbursed and that he was provided with public funding which was never delivered.

The dispute arises after the NACC investigated allegations linking Lehrmann to highly confidential material. The allegations included suggestions that Lehrmann had access to submarine documents associated with a cancelled French defence deal, and that material collected from Brittany Higgins’ mobile phone was mishandled.

Lehrmann has rejected those claims as unfounded and likened the whole situation to a “James Bond movie,” saying some of the allegations appear more fictitious than factual. His former media adviser has called them a joke that led to false assertions.

The crux of his case is a secrecy notice from the NACC. Mr. Lehrmann contends the order has prevented public scrutiny and has denied him a fair hearing, in addition to limiting his ability to defend himself properly and limiting oversite on the actions of the watchdog.

Financial Pressure and Legal History

Lehrmann told the court that he is under significant financial stress, calling his current situation “personal turmoil”. With no money to include lawyers, he has elected to represent himself in this case.

His legal problems have not just arisen today. Earlier this year, Mr. Lehrmann lost a high-profile defamation case which resulted in the Federal Court finding, on the balance of probabilities he raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019. He has appealed that ruling, but on the basis, if he appeals fails, he is liable for more than $2 million in solicitor costs.

The corruption investigation in Australia puts additional pressure on Lehrmann. Federal police have reportedly conducted raids about the submarine accusations, but Lehrmann insists he is guilty of nothing. Lehrmann says the charges are wrong, and that he has been unable to clear his name properly due to the secrecy in which the investigation has been conducted.

More info about Bruce Lehrmann’s latest legal action against the NACC over a previous investigation into him

(Apparently he’s also been questioned in relation to a second NACC investigation which is yet to be finalised) pic.twitter.com/HgP10RZV9D

— Vaxatious Litigant 💉⚖️👨‍⚖️ (@ExposingNV) September 9, 2025

Conclusion

The Federal Court will have to decide whether or not Lehrmann's concerns about the NACC's treatment of him have any legal merit. He is asking judges to review whether the NACC acted unlawfully, if it's provisions about secrecy are reasonable, and if he is entitled to public funding to defend himself.

For Lehrmann, this case is yet another chapter in a drawn out saga to deal with the legal process. He is already embroiled in a costly appeal in his defamation case, and now he enters into yet another expensive legal fight—this time against the national anti-corruption body of Australia.