Senator Alex Antic gets apology from former Liberal party staffer Hannah March

The staffer who once worked for Christopher Pyne apologised for hurt she caused to the firebrand SA Senator or his reputation.

A former Liberal party staffer has issued an apology to a firebrand South Australia politicians over “incendiary” social media remarks.

Liberal Senator Alex Antic, had threatened legal action against ex Federal Party adviser Hannah March, 35, over a controversial Twitter post during last year’s festive season.

Senator Antic, 48, had issued a defamation “concerns notice” – a prelude to formal court action if any settlement failed – over a highly personal attack published on the microblogging site on December 13.

Senator Alex Antic at a Senate Committee Estimates Hearing at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Former Federal Liberal party advisor Hannah March. Pictures: Facebook

But on Friday, Miss March, who formerly worked for federal Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, published two posts on Twitter apologising to Senator Antic for the posts, which had raised eyebrows within the Liberal party and had embroiled the recent Legislative Council vote.

It is understood the apology has settled the dispute.

Precise details, including Miss March’s specific phrase, cannot be published for legal reasons.

“On 13 December 2022, I posted on my Twitter account a thread of five tweets including screenshots from Senator Alex Antic’s Facebook account,” Miss March wrote.

“I accept that the statements I added to the screenshots may have given rise to inferences which would damage Senator Antic’s reputation.

“There would be no basis in fact for those inferences.

“The language I used was incendiary and I regret any harm that my words may have caused.

I unreservedly apologise to Senator Antic for the hurt I have caused him.”

The parties, both lawyers, refused to comment and would not discuss details of a financial settlement.

Originally published as Senator Alex Antic gets apology from former Liberal party staffer Hannah March