Former LGAQ boss Greg Hallam seeks to reopen court case against Cairns Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne

Former LGAQ boss Greg Hallam is seeking to reopen his defamation case against a Cairns councillor after a blog about the trial emerged online. Find out more here.

A blog maintained by Division 2 Cairns Councillor Rob Pyne is now the subject of legal proceedings as former LGAQ boss Greg Hallam seeks to reopen his defamation case against the former Cairns MP.

Mr Hallam is suing Cr Pyne, among others, over a series of allegedly defamatory Facebook posts.

Mr Hallam filed for $2.5m in damages in 2018.

A meme that likened Mr Hallam to Star Wars villain Jabba the Hutt has been central to the trial, which was due to hear final submissions later this month.

Division 2 councillor Rob Pyne prepares to front the Cairns District Court in relation to defamation allegations. Picture: Peter Carruthers

But a letter accompanying an affidavit sent to Mr Pyne from King & Company Solicitors, the lawyers representing Mr Hallam states the former LGAQ boss will apply for leave to reopen his case by seeking to tender an affidavit that cites Mr Pyne’s commentary on the trial’s proceedings, via a blog, as relevant to the matter before the court.

The letter states the plaintiff will contend the affidavit is relevant to “the need for a greater quantum of damages to be awarded against you to vindicate Mr Hallam”.

The letter also states the affidavit is relevant to Mr Pyne’s “continuing refusal to apologise” and “Mr Hallam’s claim for aggravated damages”.

The plaintiff will contend the blog, titled Council Mayors Silencing Dissent, was posted after the Plaintiff’s case closed and includes material from the trial including evidence presented before the court.

Former LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam is suing Rob Pyne, among others, for defamation. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Pyne labelled the move by the plaintiff as “punitive”.

“King and Co Solicitors have advised me by letter of their intention to reopen the case against me,” Mr Pyne said.

“King and Co made special reference to my honest account of my trial.

“They may think they are grinding me down, but they are wrong.”

An LGAQ spokeswoman said the LGAQ has a duty of care to its employees, one it takes seriously.

“This procedural matter will not delay either the final submissions or the judgement and the LGAQ looks forward to receiving the court’s decision,” the spokeswoman said.

Originally published as Former LGAQ boss Greg Hallam seeks to reopen court case against Cairns Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne