Brittany Higgins is enjoying a relaxing summer escape featuring sailing, shipwreck dives and secluded beaches as she puts a tumultuous 2022 behind her.
The former Liberal Party staffer’s getaway to the idyllic Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, is a belated Christmas present to new fiancé David Sharaz, just a fortnight after he surprised her with a romantic New Year’s Eve proposal at sunset.
Ms Higgins shared a series of holiday snaps on Sunday night showing the loved-up couple living it up on a yacht, snorkelling, going on morning walks by the ocean, watching active coral and kicking back on a swing overlooking a secluded beach.
She also posted Mr Sharaz’s footage of her diving towards submerged shipwrecks and spectacular vision of tawny nurse sharks swimming metres away.
Brittany Higgins and fiancé David Sharaz have shared photos from their Maldives escape
The former political advisor took time out from a hectic year to enjoy some serenity
‘Our little summer getaway! As the Enya song says, “sail away, sail away, sail away”,’ Ms Higgins captioned the post.
The newly engaged couple have been holidaying at the exclusive island destination for at least three days according to their recent posts.
Mr Sharaz shared his gratitude in heartfelt message to his future bride.
‘Brittany and I have a joke when one of us does something romantic… was it Richard Gere level amazing? Well my darling, you Richard Gere’d me good. Thanks for the best Christmas present ever,’ he posted.
The couple’s Instagram posts have been inundated with supportive comments.
‘How stunning,’ UN Goodwill Ambassador Grace Forest commented.
Another person wrote: ‘I hope you’re feeling better you’ve been through hell.’
Brittany Higgins has checked out some of the famous submerged shipwrecks in the Maldives
The Maldives escape was Brittany’s Christmas present to her new fiancé David Sharaz (right)
The getaway comes after the couple spent New Year’s Eve in Byron Bay, where Mr Sharaz popped the question at the tourist town’s world famous lighthouse.
The fairytale end to the year came after Ms Higgins recently reached a confidential settlement with the Commonwealth over claims she was sexually assaulted at Parliament House by a colleague in 2019.
‘At a mediation held today, the Commonwealth and Ms Higgins settled her claims,’ her lawyer Noor Blumer said.
‘At the request of Ms Higgins, the parties have agreed that the terms of the settlement are confidential.’
Several weeks earlier, Ms Higgins’ civil action named three respondents: Senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash as well as the Commonwealth. Senator Reynolds is since believed to have been removed from the claim.
The documents set out Ms Higgins’ intention to sue for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, negligence, and victimisation stemming from her claims she was raped by another staffer inside Parliament House and the subsequent fallout.
David Sharaz has also shared photos from the loved-up couple’s romantic getaway
Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz are making the most of their time together away from the spotlight
The newly engaged couple has also spent time sailing during their luxurious escape
At the time, the claim was expected to be worth about $3million, including $2.5million for future economic loss, past economic loss approaching $100,000 and general damages of $100,000.
Ms Higgins alleged she was raped in 2019 by Bruce Lehrmann inside Senator Reynolds’ ministerial office, for whom they both worked as staffers.
Mr Lehrmann has consistently denied the allegation.
His trial in the ACT Supreme Court was derailed by juror misconduct.
Prosecutors decided not to pursue further action.
The couple also shared spectacular vision of tawny nurse sharks (pictured)
Ms Higgins said Mr Sharaz had been her ‘rock’ and ‘best friend’ during the tumultuous time
The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold has also raised concerns about ‘political and police conduct’ in the case.
ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury confirmed the matter had been referred to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity for further investigation.
Ms Higgins said Mr Sharaz had been her ‘rock’ and ‘best friend’ during the tumultuous time.
Mr Sharaz’s New Year’s Even proposal to Ms Higgins saw him get down on one knee at the top of the iconic Cape Bryon Bay lighthouse.
A beaming Ms Higgins in a elegant black dress and sandy-coloured heels, was seen clutching a bouquet of red roses on the lighthouse balcony as she said ‘yes’.
Mr Sharaz had covered the inside of the lighthouse with rose petals and candles for his romantic proposal.
Ms Higgins also recently revealed she will be studying a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at University of Sydney after she graduated with a double degree from Queensland’s Griffith University.
David Sharaz got down on one knee (pictured) on top of the Bryon Bay lighthouse on Saturday at sunset