Overview
- The Federal Court in Perth declared David Sharaz bankrupt, with Registrar Camille Goucke ordering sequestration of his estate and $5,690 in costs.
- Court records note Sharaz was personally served a bankruptcy notice on October 10 in Melbourne and the act of bankruptcy was deemed to be October 31.
- Brittany Higgins was declared bankrupt days earlier in Perth, with Justice Michael Feutrill ordering sequestration after a separate hearing.
- An August WA Supreme Court ruling found Higgins and Sharaz defamed former senator Linda Reynolds, ordering Higgins to pay $315,000, Sharaz $85,000, and holding both jointly liable for legal costs exceeding $1 million.
- Reynolds initiated the bankruptcy actions to enforce the defamation awards, and the trustee is expected to probe their financial affairs, including whether any of a reported $2.4 million Commonwealth payment to Higgins remains.