Christian Porter’s female legal team subject to unfair hate mail online, in emails

High-profile barrister Sue Chrysanthou and solicitor Rebekah Giles will work for Attorney-General Christian Porter in his defamation case against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan, a move that has led to both of them receiving unfair vile abuse.

Two women who will represent Attorney-General Christian Porter in his defamation suit against the ABC have been the subject of unfair and vicious trolling since their appointments were announced.

High-profile litigator Sue Chrysanthou SC and solicitor Rebekah Giles will team with barrister Bret Walker SC to act for Mr Porter in his case against the ABC and journalist Louise Milligan.

Mr Porter‘s legal team claims web articles on the ABC about the Attorney-General – all produced by Ms Milligan – carried defamatory imputations.

But in the days since his legal team was announced, both Ms Chrysanthou and Ms Giles, highly respected in their field, have been the subject of vicious online abuse.

Sue Chrysanthou SC has been subjected to “hate mail” ever since being appointed by Christian Porter in his defamation case against the ABC. Picture: AAP/Peter Rae

The Saturday Telegraph understands Ms Chrysanthou has even received hate mail in her personal email inbox.

“They have been copping abuse on social media ever since it was announced, but I know Sue has also been abused over email,” a legal source said.

“Everything from calling her a ‘scumbag’ to a ‘traitor’ to even worse, it’s just ridiculous.

“Just because he’s the Attorney-General doesn’t mean he has different rights, everyone has the right to legal representation.”

Christian Porter has filed a defamation suit against the ABC. Picture: Sharon Smith/NCA NewsWire

Mr Porter has emphatically denied the historical allegations against him.

Ms Chrysanthou and Ms Giles – who are among a small number of defamation legal experts in Australia – also recently represented former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins in her suit against Senator Linda Reynolds.

One Twitter user questioned how they could now represent Mr Porter.

ABC Journalist Louise Milligan produced two stories about life “Inside the Canberra Bubble” which are among those Mr Porter claims were defamatory. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

Another man said the pair‘s decision to act for Mr Porter “sickened him to the core”.

Despite the outrage in some quarters at Ms Chrysanthou – and Mr Walker – accepting the case, they are legally obliged to do so.

Barristers are largely required to take on briefs that come across their desk under the cab-rank rule, which takes its name from the way taxis must take the next fare.

The first case management hearing in Mr Porter‘s case is set for May 14 in the Federal Court.

Originally published as Christian Porter’s female legal team subject to unfair hate mail online, in emails