Brittany Higgins’ boyfriend explodes at politicians ‘attacking’ instead of supporting after Parliament House rape claim as the couple ‘are forced out of Canberra’ for good
- Boyfriend of Brittany Higgins took to Twitter Saturday night to slam politicians
- David Shiraz said he was ‘sad that our leaders attack instead of address, support’
- He also revealed the couple were leaving Canberra in a tweet he later deleted
The boyfriend of Brittany Higgins has slammed politicians for their ‘attack instead of support’ approach in the wake of his partner going public with allegations she was raped in a Parliament House office.
David Shiraz said he was ‘angry and sad’ the couple had to move out of Canberra, while expressing his frustration the culture inside parliament ‘won’t change’.
Ms Higgins last month claimed she was assaulted by a male colleague inside their boss Defence Minister Linda Reynolds’ office in 2019 when she was 24.
‘I moved to Canberra more than a decade ago thinking it would be my forever home,’ Mr Shiraz tweeted.
‘And in a few days I return to pack up our apartment to leave forever.
Pictured: David Sharaz and his partner Brittany Higgins. Mr Shiraz took to Twitter on Saturday night to slam politicians and reveal his anger at the couple having to move out of Canberra
‘I’m angry and sad. Sad that our leaders attack instead of address, support and amend. Angry that things won’t change.’
Mr Shiraz, whose Twitter bio is #IstandwithBrittanyHiggins deleted the tweet just after 9am on Sunday.
He recently quit his job to stand by his partner after she went public with the rape allegations.
Mr Sharaz, who worked in Canberra dealing with federal government clients, said his bosses gave him time off to support her but realised he could not keep his job.
‘My number one priority has always been to support Brittany during this incredibly challenging time,’ he told Guardian Australia.
Mr Sharaz is a journalist with extensive experience working for SBS, Sky News and regional broadcaster WIN.
Mr Sharaz (pictured with Ms Higgins) said he ‘moved to Canberra a decade ago thinking it would be my forever home’
He also worked with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet before taking on a role in January dealing with government clients for a media analytics company.
The former press gallery reporter thanked his employer for giving him time off, but said he was unable to do his job and maintain healthy relationships with ministerial offices in light of Ms Higgins’ allegations.
Mr Sharaz said he had ‘absolutely no regrets in choosing to support my partner, and will continue to do so’.
‘The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. Being supportive is the least that I – or any other partner of a victim-survivor can do.
‘Brittany – and many others deserve better.’
Ms Higgins previously said she did not immediately report the alleged rape to police out of fear that she would lose her ‘dream job’, but resigned earlier this month before making the allegations last Monday – leaving the young couple unemployed.
Mr Sharaz said he had ‘absolutely no regrets in choosing to support my partner, and will continue to do so’. Pictured: Brittany Higgins
Her alleged rapist, who has since been accused of sexual harassment by three other women, has checked himself into a private rehabilitation clinic after losing his job at a large corporation.
The man worked for four federal Coalition politicians over a four-year period before he gained a spot in Senator Reynolds’ office.
While Ms Higgins described him as a ‘rising star’ and favourite of the minister, others said the accused was ‘social awkward around women’ and had ‘no female friends whatsoever’.
One politician, who wanted to remain anonymous, described the man as ‘uber-ambitious’ and moved to another job with only one day’s notice.
On March 26, 2019, – four days after the alleged rape – he was fired for breaching security at the office.
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