SAS member, Person 27, gives evidence for Roberts-Smith ... Tells court of hearing rumours two men were shot on mission ... Says he heard about trapdoor concealing massive weapons cache at exfiltration point ... Cannot recall junior members being called "rookie" ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Year: 2022
The Chelmsford defamation debacle
Chelmsford case gives the law a bad name ... Appeal upheld ... Errors at trial ... Unpalatable outcome ... Reasonableness proves elusive ... Back it goes ... Lessons to be learned ... Comment from Graham Hryce ... more
Herron v HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty Ltd
Chelmsford Deep Sleep doctor wins appeal over Scientology book ... Contested imputations ... Admissibility of Royal Commission evidence ... "Dead Experts" evidence ... Qualified privilege defence nixed ... Retrial foreshadowed ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Former SAS member, Person 35, continues under cross-examination ... Tells Court under investigation for alleged murder of detainee at Darwan in 2012 ... Denies colluding with witnesses over Person 12 evidence ... Insists Darwan allegations against him are a lie ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
NSW: tripwires for public interest disclosure
New South Wales ... Limited amendments to Public Interest Disclosure legislation ... Wider category of "public officials" ... New remedies ... Government ignores key recommendation ... High threshold retained for protection of disclosures to journalists ... Reputation and confidentiality ... Max Shanahan reporting ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Former SAS sergeant, Person 35, continues giving evidence ... Court hears of fancy dress as Ku Klux Klansman ... Person 35 admits liking Instagram posts denigrating counsel and respondents' witnesses ... Concedes Afghan officer, Person 12, was not removed from patrol in July 2012 ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Colagrande v Kim
Cosmetic surgeon awarded $420,000 in damages and $31,511.29 in special damages … Competitor posted fake review on “RateMDs” website posing as patient who had falsely accused surgeon of sexual assault … Infliction of profound new trauma … Joint tortfeasors … Malicious intent … Aggravating circumstances … Permanent injunction … Margery Ai reports … more
Colagrande v Kim
Cosmetic surgeon awarded $420,000 in damages and $31,511.29 in special damages … Competitor posted fake review on "RateMDs" website posing as patient who had falsely accused surgeon of sexual assault … Infliction of profound new trauma … Joint tortfeasors … Malicious intent … Aggravating circumstances … Permanent injunction ... Margery Ai reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Former SAS sergeant, Person 35, continues evidence in chief ... Denies any persons were located in tunnel in Whiskey 108 ... Person 35 undertook search of tunnel ... Ferried out weapons, batteries, documents ... First learns of allegations of war crimes against Roberts-Smith in media ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Ben Roberts-Smith's former patrol commander continues in cross-examination ... Denies unlawful killings borne out of frustration at Afghan judicial system ... Question on detail of Whiskey 108 mission ... Court hears Seven Network asked Kerry Stokes private company to assume responsibility for legal costs ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Roberts-Smith's former patrol commander, Person 5, continues under cross-examination ... Denies giving a false account of tunnel's second exit to explain insurgents found outside compound ... Denies changing evidence on camouflage paint to avoid being caught out ... Questioned on rookies ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more
Ben Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media Publications; The Age Company; Federal Capital Press
Cross examination of Roberts-Smith's patrol commander in 2009 and 2010, Person 5 ... Person 5 reveals allegations of other murders, including two rookies blooded ... Disappointed at SAS members going to media ... Wants them publicly discredited and sacked ... Legal fees picked up by Seven Network ... Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports ... more