Federal Court dismisses bid to prevent reporting on alleged abuse of public resources – Sydney Morning Herald

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But as part of Mr Bastiaans defamation claim, he has denied the allegations and said he never breached the Liberal Party constitution.

Mr Bastiaan said Nines reports had portrayed him as corrupt and asserted he may have committed a criminal offence.

He has also been subjected to hatred, ridicule and contempt following the reports, court documents allege.

On Tuesday, Mr Wilson criticised Nine for filing its defence documents weeks late and just days before another segment on the matter was broadcast on current affairs program 60 Minutes, alongside fresh articles in newspapers.

Mr Wilson questioned whether this was done to allow McKenzie more time to make further investigations, door-stopping and harassing a witness, and flagged that further action would probably be taken to restrain McKenzie from approaching witnesses.

We say it is wrong when you have a party to the proceeding using his journalistic position to go out and actually pressure people who have already been named as witnesses in the proceeding, Mr Wilson said. With a view to put pressure on Mr Bastiaan to resolve the case.

Mr Mukerjea dismissed the allegations as false and said they amounted to accusations of contempt of court and an abuse of process, and singled out McKenzie who is one of the countrys most decorated journalists.

The allegations are vehemently denied, Mr Mukerjea said.

Justice Besanko said the latest allegations were only aired orally and would not be dealt with unless evidence and appropriate documentation was submitted to the court.

Mr Wilson, thats your allegation, but Im not determining the merits of these matters this morning, he said.

Outside the hearing, McKenzie denied harassing witnesses and said The Age and Sydney Morning Herald would continue to hold politicians on both sides to account.

Trying to door-stop politicians about serious allegations is fundamental to ensuring our democracy is appropriately oversighted, and our lawyers will continue to resist efforts to stop investigative journalism from shining a light, he said.

Mr Bastiaan resigned from the Liberal Party last year.

The matter will return to court in December.

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Federal Court dismisses bid to prevent reporting on alleged abuse of public resources - Sydney Morning Herald