Federal Court … Ten star Lisa Wilkinson files defence in proceedings brought by Bruce Lehrmann … Will plead defences of justification, statutory qualified privilege, time-bar by virtue of Limitation Act, and mitigation of damages … Seeks to establish Lehrmann raped former colleague Brittany Higgins … Extensive inquiries … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Category: Litigation
Tegan George v Network Ten
Federal Court … Ten reporter Tegan George files amended statement of claim in Fair Work action … Alleges Ten permitted a “sexually hostile, demeaning and oppressive” culture in Canberra bureau … Allegations against political editor Peter van Onselen and Ten’s Executive Editor … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Avi Yemini v Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
County Court of Victoria … Far right activist sues RMIT FactLab over analysis that a video was false … Avi Yemeni pleads imputations that he lacks credibility, and is sloppy and inaccurate … Defences of justification, qualified privilege, public interest journalism … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten & Anor; Bruce Lehrmann v News Life Media & Anor
Federal Court … Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann is suing Network Ten, Lisa Wilkinson, news.com.au and Samantha Maiden … Action concerns reports of rape allegation by former colleague Brittany Higgins … Lehrmann seeks aggravated damages over claims there was fight over exclusivity … Extension of time sought … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Bruce Lehrmann v Network Ten; Bruce Lehrmann v News Life Media; Linda Reynolds v HarperCollins Publishers Australia & Anor; Linda Reynolds v David Sharaz
Fallout from rape allegation by former staffer Brittany Higgins leads to defamation actions in Federal Court and Western Australian Supreme Court … Bruce Lehrmann suing Network Ten and news.com.au … Both outlets led reporting … Former Defence minister Linda Reynolds commences two actions over a book and two tweets … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Jack Darling v Ryan Daniels & Anor
Federal Court … West Coast AFL star Jack Darling sues sports journalist and Seven West Media over anti-vaccination reports … Claims reports run to thousands of pages … Takes issue with disclosure of personal medical information … Aggravated damages sought … Mediation ordered … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Hun To v Al Jazeera International & Ors; Hun To v Nationwide News & Anor
Federal Court … Cambodian PM’s nephew commences defamation proceedings … Hun To suing over Al Jazeera documentary and follow up article in The Australian … Publication of claims company linked to Hun To associated with human trafficking behind cyber scams … Aggravated damages sought … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Hoser v Herald and Weekly Times (Ruling)
Victorian County Court … Herald and Weekly Times and court reporter granted summary judgment … Issue of valid concerns notices … Proceedings commenced before request for further particulars made … Serious harm not properly particularised … Discretion to grant leave on “just and reasonable” grounds considered … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Lennard Bruce Roberts v Australian Broadcasting Corporation & Anor
Federal Court … ABC to plead public interest defence to action brought by former Aboriginal Land Council CEO … 4 Corners story on Obeid family’s secret property deals … Len Roberts claims he is portrayed as corrupt and doing the Obeids bidding … ABC denies imputations conveyed … Honest opinion also pleaded … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Heston Russell v Australian Broadcasting Corporation & Ors
Federal Court … ABC files defence in action brought by former commando officer, Heston Russell … ABC denies imputations conveyed and serious harm … Public interest defence pleaded … Particulars of truth pleaded … Contextual imputations … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Jeff Blaylock-Rayner v Seven Network (Operations) Limited & Anor
Federal Court … Los Angeles based photographer sues Seven Network over Sunrise program … World exclusive with Thomas Markle, father of Duchess of Sussex … Markle claimed he was set up in attempt to disrupt Royal Wedding … Claims involving Harvey Weinstein … Inadequate apology … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more
Heston Russell v Australian Broadcasting Corporation & Ors
Federal Court … Former commando sues ABC and two journalists over two articles … November 2021 article reports criminal investigation into claims commandos killed Afghan detainee … Links to October 2020 article containing claims by US Marine … Imputations include claim of war crimes … Courts Editor Stephen Murray reports … more