Category Archives: government and political matter

Barrister’s internet defamation: He fought the law and the law won: Dods v McDonald [2016] VSC 201

Posted on May 10, 2016 by

During the evening of 11 December 2008, Tyler Cassidy, a 15 year old boy had stolen two large knives from Kmart at Northcote Plaza Shopping Centre, near All Nations Park. He moved through the shopping centre, its shops and car … Continue reading →

Posted in Damages, Defamatory meaning, government and political matter, News, Publication, Trial | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hockey hoists Fairfax on its own placard: Hockey v Fairfax Media Publications Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 652

Posted on July 14, 2015 by

On 5 May 2014, Fairfax, through the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Canberra Times, ran a series of articles about a Liberal Party fundraising entity called the North Sydney Forum. North Sydney is the seat held by Australia’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Damages, Defamatory meaning, government and political matter, News, Qualified privilege, Trial, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Setka Setback against Liberal’s Libel: Setka v Abbott & Anor [2012] VSC 534

Posted on November 29, 2012 by

On 10 February this year, Tony Abbott, (yes the leader of the Coalition) spoke at a conference of the Masters Building Association. He spoke about the Australian Building and Construction Commission and his words were republished by Sky News. He … Continue reading →

Posted in contextual truth, defences, government and political matter, Strike out application | Tagged | 1 Comment

Mayor’s claim against nun to be tried again: Lloyd-Jones v Allen [2012] NSWCA 230

Posted on August 30, 2012 by

  Muriel and Gary Campbell are members of an Aboriginal family living in Bermagui, NSW.  In October 2006 racist graffiti directed towards Aboriginals was painted on a bridge in the area and around that time there was a fight on … Continue reading →

Posted in government and political matter, Honest opinion, Malice, Qualified privilege, Reciprocal duty-interest, Trial | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Failure to stretch Lange defence for foreign language papers: The Korean Times Pty Ltd & Anor v Un Dok Pak [2011] NSWCA 365

Posted on February 13, 2012 by

The plaintiff was born in Korea and moved to Australia when she was 15. She studied Economics and Law, became a solicitor and also married another solicitor (Ki Beom Kwon). She and her husband were heavily involved in the Korean … Continue reading →

Posted in government and political matter, Reciprocal duty-interest, Trial | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Journalists’ source to be revealed: Liu v The Age Company Ltd [2012] NSWSC 12

Posted on February 9, 2012 by

On 3 February 2010, The Age published an article about Helen Liu and referred to her as a Chinese Australian businesswoman who had made substantial payments to the former Defence Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon as part of “a campaign to cultivate … Continue reading →

Posted in government and political matter | Tagged | 1 Comment

The politician’s privilege?: Wookey v Quigley [2011] WASC 227

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

Since Lange in 1998, politicians have no longer been the cornerstones of the defamation lawyer’s practice. The High Court decided that we have an implied right in our constitution to discuss “government and political matter” and so politicians took their … Continue reading →

Posted in defences, government and political matter, News, Qualified privilege, Reciprocal duty-interest, Strike out application | Tagged , | Leave a comment