Reality star Gina Liano sends legal letter to Labor Party over ‘offensive’ ad

Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gina Liano has sent legal letters to the Labor Party after they used her in ad aimed at discrediting Scott Morrison.

Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gina Liano is furious she is being used in a video ad by the Labor Party to discredit Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Liano, a highly respected barrister, said the cut up footage of her words was disingenuous and defamatory and she labelled those acting for the Labor Party as ‘bullies’.

“It’s not authorised and I’m appalled,” Liano said.

“To me it feels disrespectful that they’re suggesting I’d speak to the Prime Minister in such a way. Irrespective of my political affiliations.

“I walk into court and I respect who’s there, I bow when I walk in and when I walk out and I respect the voice of the public.

“It’s a misrepresentation and my affiliations are private and it’s quite damaging to me.”

Liano said the offensive ad, posted to the official Australian Labor Party Twitter account on May 2, had yet to be removed despite her sending numerous legal letters to the lawyer representing the spokesperson behind the ad.

We've had enough too, Gina. Only Labor will make it cheaper for your next car to be electric. #auspol#RHOMelbournepic.twitter.com/4MQPD0eI0Z

— Australian Labor (@AustralianLabor) May 2, 2022

In it she is shown in old footage of the Foxtel series appearing to catch out Morrison for his conflicting stance on electric vehicles.

Liano had a reputation for being the ‘bulls--- detector’ on the show and calling people out.

“I don’t understand a friend who says one thing to your face and then turns around and tells the girls something else.”

She then says after a clip of Morrison is played: “I’ve had enough. I’ve actually had enough.”

Liano said on Monday she would continue with attempts to have the ad removed despite them creating levels of frustration. Some followers left comments applauding the Party for enlisting the Housewives cult figure, but others said it was wrong.

“That’s not who I am and I don’t want to be affiliated with that and it’s defamatory,” Liano said.

“They don’t care what I think clearly, they’re so ambitious they’ve gone ahead and not sought my permission and when they know they don’t have my permission they’ve gone ahead and used it anyway. They’re complicating the situation and misleading my fans, the followers and the public.

Gina Liano at work as a barrister

Liano is furious about the ad.

“They’re bullies in the way they’ve responded to my request and by suggesting they’ve failed to understand what I’m asking, they are clearly trying to delay until after the election.”

In correspondence seen by the Herald Sun, the letter from lawyers acting for the ALP and P Erickson who has authorised the advertisement, claims they are unaware of what Liano is asking.

“We are still uninformed of the grounds upon which your client claims to have the right to bring any of the actions identified and threatens to bring proceedings against our clients,” the lawyers write in response.

Liano’s initial letter from her lawyers read in part: “Your video seeks to undermine our client’s reputation and attempts to use it as a vehicle to discredit Scott Morrison and by extension, the Liberal Party.

Liano with Real Housewives of Melbourne castmates. Picture: David Caird

“Further it appears that the words spoken by our client in the spliced videos have been taken out of context and purports to advance the narrative that our client is critical of Scott Morrison.

“She is a highly respected barrister who practices as a prosecutor. She values her independence and integrity which is a vital part of the work she undertakes.”

Liano became a fan favourite after appearing in the Real Housewives of Melbourne franchise from when it started in 2014. The mother of two stepped away from the show when it returned last year to focus on her law career.

Originally published as Reality star Gina Liano sends legal letter to Labor Party over ‘offensive’ ad