Senator Linda Reynolds has called on the federal attorney-general and finance minister to accept Federal Court findings that there was no attempt by the government to cover up the rape of Brittany Higgins.

Senator Reynolds made the comments as she headed into an eleventh-hour attempt to abort a defamation case she's brought against Ms Higgins and partner David Sharaz.

Liberal Senator Reynolds is suing Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz in the WA Supreme Court over a series of social media posts she alleges were untrue and damaged her reputation.

On her way into a closed-door mediation hearing in Perth today, Senator Reynolds called on "all parties" to accept findings by federal court Justice Michael Lee in a separate legal action.

"I would like to commend Justice Lee on all of his findings and I think it's time that all parties in this accept all of his judgements — and that includes the finance minister, the attorney general and the attorney general's department," Senator Reynolds said.

"It is time for them to admit they got it wrong."

'I've been demonised': Reynolds

Earlier this year in a civil defamation case brought by Ms Reynolds' former staffer Bruce Lehrmann against Channel 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson, Justice Lee found that on the balance of probabilities, Ms Higgins was raped by Mr Lehrmann in Parliament House in 2019.

There are no criminal findings against Mr Lehrmann and he has always denied raping Ms Higgins.

Justice Lee also found allegations of a "political cover-up", as recounted by Ms Higgins in an interview aired on Channel 10, were not supported by evidence.

Justice Lee criticised Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz for having "crafted a narrative" and accusing others — including federal ministers — of "putting up roadblocks" and making her choose between her career and justice.

Senator Reynolds has since said the findings vindicated her position and the actions of her chief of staff, Fiona Brown.

She said she had endured "intense public scrutiny, vilification, vile trolling" and had "been demonised as the villain in a story of a political cover-up I have always known to be untrue."

"The decision of his Honour Justice Lee has finally set the record straight with respect to the conduct of Ms Brown and myself and the demonstrably false narrative that has dominated headlines and ruined lives and careers.

"To say I am pleased with the findings in relation to Ms Brown, myself and the cover up that never was, would be an understatement."

Government settlement 

In the wake of her alleged rape Ms Higgins launched a civil action against Senator Reynolds, Senator Michaelia Cash and the Commonwealth.

Court documents revealed she intended to sue for sexual harassment, sex discrimination, disability discrimination, negligence, and victimisation.

Before the action could go further the federal government paid her a $2.4 million settlement, with no admission of liability.

It's been reported Senator Reynolds was not permitted to be involved in the settlement, which was inked after Labor unseated the Liberals in the 2022 election.

Attempts to stop trial

Today's mediation is the second time Senator Reynolds, Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz have attempted to abort what's expected to be a costly and draining defamation trial.

In March, Justice Marcus Solomon issued orders for the parties to meet face to face, which saw the pair fly in from France, where they now live, to meet with Senator Reynolds.

Mr Sharaz has since indicated, through his lawyers, he doesn't wish to continue to fight Senator Reynolds and is desperate to achieve a settlement.

Meanwhile, the court has heard Ms Higgins' mental health is so bad her lawyers were at one point unable to get her instruction to prepare for trial.

Senator Reynolds is attending today's mediation in person, while Mr Sharaz appears to be represented by his lawyer, Jason McLaurin SC.

There are no orders requiring Ms Higgins or Mr Sharaz to attend the mediation — which is being held behind closed doors — in person.