Court face-off as ex-Liberal Natalie Baini alleges ‘mental anguish’ after relationship with former minister Craig Laundy

Tensions have boiled over in a lawsuit launched by a former Liberal staffer against her ex-lover and former MP Craig Laundy, who she alleges psychologically abused her.

Former Liberal staffer Natalia Baiani, left, is suing former minister Craig Laundy. right. Pictures: News Corp

Lawyers for a former Liberal minister have accused his ex-lover and would-be successor of “scandalous” comments after she claimed her lawsuit could be seen through a domestic violence lens.

Former Reid Liberal branch vice-president Natalie Baini is suing former minister Craig Laundy saying her career as a lawyer was damaged after she ended their two-year affair.

She alleges, in court documents, that Mr Laundy said he had separated from his wife — but that was not the case.

Ms Baini is suing Mr Laundy as well as the politician’s wife, Suzanne, and daughter alleging they threatened, intimidated, verbally abused and prank called her home.

Ms Baini’s suit against Mr Laundy was set down for a small administrative hearing on Tuesday but descended into duelling accusations within seconds.

Mr Laundy’s barrister, George Thomas, said Ms Baini was representing herself so she was able to make “false and scandalous allegations” against the politician in court.

“We want to put a stop to it,” he said.

Natalie Baini, former Liberal, is suing politician Craig Laundy and the Liberal Party in separate lawsuits.

Former MP Craig Laundy and his family are defending against the lawsuits which allege they psychologically harmed Ms Baini after she broke off her affair with the politician.

Ms Baini‘s court documents state she was working as a casual staffer for Mr Laundy at the time of their relationship, and break-up, from late 2015 to late 2017.

She alleges Mr Laundy spread rumours about her while Mrs Laundy rang her on the phone to harass her.

“(Suzanne Laundy) called Baini about the relationship for about one hour and spoke words to her to the effect ‘I am having you watched, so you just look out, don’t even think about trying to get Reid. We have given it to someone else,” one of the court documents reads.

She claims, in her court documents, that “unknown persons” tried to break into her home on instructions of the Laundys.

ALLEGED PSYCHOLOGICAL ANGUISH

It’s not alleged Ms Baini was subjected to any physical domestic violence, she is instead alleging psychological anguish among other mental health impacts as a result of the Laundy family’s actions.

Mr Thomas, on Wednesday, said he would not call Ms Baini “my learned friend”, a respectful custom in the courts, instead he opted to refer to her as “the plaintiff”.

“The plaintiff cannot use this as a forum to further her political career,” he said.

The comment was an apparent reference to Ms Baini’s campaign as an independent in the seat of Reid at the 2022 federal election.

Ms Baini is suing the Liberal Party, in a separate lawsuit, alleging they blocked her from being preselected as the Liberal candidate after she broke off the relationship with Mr Laundy.

Scott Morrison parachuted Fiona Martin into Reid and she was ultimately defeated by Labor’s Sally Sitou.

Ms Baini, on Wednesday, told the court that Mr Laundy’s lawyers had been “particularly vexatious” as they asked her to provide more detail in documents tendered to the court in both lawsuits.

Ms Baini suggested her case against Mr Laundy belonged in a domestic violence court, or should be viewed in that light.

“We don’t have a domestic violence court in NSW but that doesn’t stop my response viewed through that lens,” she told the court.

Mr Laundy’s barrister replied telling the court the domestic violence comment was a perfect example of Ms Baini “promoting herself”.

Registrar Karen Jones interjected, telling Mr Thomas his comments were “not appropriate” and urged civility.

“It’s scandalous,” Mr Thomas replied.

Ms Baini’s lawsuit against the Liberals names top staffers in the party alleging they stonewalled her preselection bid and requests for reviews into Mr Laundy’s alleged behaviour.

“There was clearly a pattern of behaviour among a small, but powerful, group of men that the Plaintiff highlighted was dangerous to women in the Party,” the document reads.

Ms Baini’s case against the Liberals is set down for a hearing later this month.

Mr Laundy‘s lawyers were contacted for comment.