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ARTICLE · 08 JUNE 2022

Avoiding defamation claims in contentious times

Bartier Perry Solicitors
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Tips to avoid being on the receiving end of a Concerns Notice or, worse, a defamation lawsuit.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Gavin Stuart
Gavin Stuart
Adam Cutri
Adam Cutri
David De Mestre
David De Mestre
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Avoiding defamation claims in contentious times

The recent Federal election, coupled with heightened media interests in politics, has seen an increase in proceedings for defamation.

In the last two years alone:

  • Peter Dutton brought defamation proceedings and won damages in the final judgment after a tweet referred to him as a "rape apologist"
  • John Barilaro brought defamation proceedings asserting that a video on YouTube depicted him as "vile and racist" and brought him into public disrepute, ridicule and contempt, which proceedings were settled out of Court
  • National MP Anne Webster successfully sued, and was awarded judgment against, Karen Brewer for false and defamatory imputations that she was associated with a "secret paedophile network".

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