Craig McLachlan defamation case likely to be heard next year, court told

The defamation case brought against two news outlets by actor Craig McLachlan will likely go to trial next year, a court has heard.

McLachlan, 56, sued the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald in the NSW Supreme Court in April 2018 after an investigation was published three months earlier which alleged he harassed female performers during the 2014 stage production of The Rocky Horror Show.

Craig McLachlan pictured in December 2020.Credit: Janie Barrett

A four-week jury trial was set to begin in February 2019, however it was postponed to allow Mr McLachlan to address related charges in Victoria.

In December 2020 he was found not guilty of all charges, including an allegation that he touched a woman’s genitals while she was performing in a scene and he was hidden from the audience.

On Friday, in the first mention of the defamation case since McLachlan’s acquittal, Justice John Sackar said the case is “highly unlikely” to start before April next year because it will take four weeks with a jury amidst the current pandemic.

“Hopefully it won’t be a problem, but every one of us knows at the moment it’s best laid plans, et cetera,” Justice Sackar said.

McLachlan has argued the publications defamed him by suggesting he is guilty of assault, indecent assault and indecent exposure, and that he sexually harassed and bullied female cast members on the Rocky Horror Show.

The media organisations have argued the defences of truth and contextual truth.

In 2018, McLachlan’s lawyers told the court he will be seeking special damages of $6.5 million.

His solicitor previously said McLachlan has suffered severe mental anxiety and distress as a result of the allegations, rarely leaves home, and that his acting career has been “effectively destroyed”.

The case will return to court on October 22 for further preliminary steps.

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