By Stephen Brook and Kishor Napier-Raman
Defamation lawyer Rebekah Giles was a surprise audience member at the Melbourne Press Club this week, and even chanced her arm at journalism during the traditional Q&A after ABC News boss Justin Stevens addressed the gathering at Crown on Tuesday.
Lawyer Rebekah Giles.Credit: Steven Siewert
We say surprising, considering the biggest game in town was the defamation case brought by Liberal rebel Moira Deeming – client of her firm Giles George – against Liberal Party leader John Pesutto in the Federal Court at the same time.
Sophie Elsworth from The Australian was first cab off the rank with a question about Giles’ client Heston Russell, who secured a defamation payout from the ABC of almost $400,000 and was in the news again after Seven’s Spotlight ran a story revealing that audio of gunfire was added in error to an ABC online report, which was taken down. One of the things Elsworth wanted to know was whether the ABC could apologise to Russell over the audio.
“Hi, Sophie, thanks for your ongoing interest in the ABC,” Stevens said smoothly. Cue laughter. On an apology, Stevens said he wouldn’t “pre-empt that”, explaining the ABC was still investigating how the error occurred.
Later Giles rose to her feet to quiz Stevens. “Thank you very much for your speech, I thought it was excellent,” she said.
ABC news director Justin Stevens.Credit: Janie Barrett
She asked about ABC editorial standards, and the new code of practice, which she said had been watered down.
Stevens replied with a lengthy answer and added in the charm: “For those who don’t know, Rebekah does a formidable job representing a number of individuals in cases against the media, including, I would add Heston Russell.” No laughter this time.
When Giles arrived at the lunch Stevens went up to chat to her and the pair had a discussion.
“He did invite direct dialogue with me,” Giles told CBD on Wednesday, signalling further discussion about the code of practice.
“I used to live in Glebe and as a young person went to protests against cuts to the ABC – so I am horrified to have to go into battle with them. It is personally deeply upsetting that an institution I regard so highly is a constant opponent.”
GLOBAL TONY
Tony Abbott loves Hungary. And Hungary loves Tony Abbott.
The former prime minister has developed a close affinity with the Central European nation and its brawny arch-conservative leader Viktor Orban, with the pair posing for a happy snap in April during one of Abbott’s numerous trips to Budapest since being turfed out of parliament by the good burghers of Warringah.
Abbott was back again this week appearing at a geopolitical summit entitled “Whose New World Order” run by the Danube Institute, an Orban-backed conservative think tank which lists the former PM as a guest speaker.
Abbott, a fan favourite, shared a stage with Donald Trump’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie, best known for his past passionate defence of the Confederacy. It’s that sort of crowd.
SETTLED
We turn now to the trials and tribulations of controversial former Fox Sports presenter Paul Kent, whose life has turned into one very long, very public testosterone-fuelled train wreck.
To recap – months after being cleared of domestic violence charges last December, Kent was involved in a drunken brawl outside an inner-west Sydney restaurant earlier this year, after a long Saturday sesh went awry.
Paul Kent leaves the Downing Centre court complex in Sydney in May.Credit: Kate Geraghty
Kent pled guilty to affray and was placed on a good behaviour bond, but not before his employers at News Corp – he was a high-profile host on Fox Sports’ NRL 360 and a columnist with The Daily Telegraph – reported that they’d parted ways.
Kent hit back by filing an unfair dismissal case against News Corp in the Fair Work Commission, accusing his employer of 24 years of undertaking a “sham” sacking and seeking reinstatement of unpaid wages and entitlements, plus compensation for the deterioration of his mental health.
In his application, Kent alleged, among other things, that News had “tolerated or condoned the behaviour of other employees alleged to have engaged in misconduct over the course of their employment”.
In its response to the application, meanwhile, the company said Kent’s behaviour was “especially serious in its character and consequences for the reputation of [News Corp]“.
CBD got word that the parties had quietly, confidentially, reached a settlement. The matter is now resolved.
“I’m not talking mate,” was Kent’s response when we called on Wednesday, before abruptly hanging up. We hadn’t even asked the question yet!
His lawyer Henry Coventry, was slightly more forthcoming, telling us: “It is not appropriate for me to comment on the matter, and I do not intend to do so.”
Crickets from News Corp.
Kenty, meanwhile, could be looking at a big payday when he sells his Lilyfield home, also in Sydney’s inner west, listed for auction later this month with a price guide of $3.8 million.
For his sake, that money hopefully doesn’t all go to paying the lawyers.
EXIT STAGE RIGHT
The few hundred corporate bigwigs gathered at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney, for Tuesday’s Business Council of Australia annual dinner were unmoved by the fire alarm that followed a punchy speech by the lobby group’s boss Bran Black.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks with the Business Council of Australia’s chief executive Bran Black (centre) and president Geoff Culbert (right).Credit: Wolter Peeters
Most were having such a grand old time that the schmoozing continued well after dessert. CBD spotted billionaire Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes deep in conversation with Sky News’ Laura Jayes, while Bridget McKenzie, one of the few Coalition types to even show up, was busy working the phones.
But we did spot BHP boss Mike Henry leaving shortly after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s speech. We get it, they’re busy people.
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