Peter Dutton to give evidence at defamation trial against activist over ‘rape apologist’ tweet
Federal minister Peter Dutton is expected to take the virtual stand in his upcoming defamation fight against an activist over a tweet.
Peter Dutton is expected to take the virtual witness stand in the Federal Court in October as the only witness in his defamation case against a refugee activist.
The Defence Minister is suing Shane Bazzi over a since-deleted tweet the long-time campaigner sent in February this year labelling Mr Dutton a “rape apologist”.
At a pre-trial hearing on Tuesday, judge Richard White urged the two men to try - again - to settle their differences ahead of the looming trial date of October 6.
The case still seemed capable of settlement, despite a failed mediation in August, he said.
He warned the respective barristers he would ask for an assurance they had done their best to negotiate a settlement and were satisfied it could not be done.
The court heard the short trial, set down for three days, would hear evidence from just one witness: Mr Dutton.It will also occur over Microsoft Teams because of Covid-19 border restrictions.
NCA NEWSWIRE
Moral clarity: Minister drops ALP’s restraint on Israel
One of Anthony Albanese’s key factional backers, Mark Butler, has delivered Labor’s strongest defence of Israel, endorsing its right to strike back and warning that Australian Jews are facing anti-Semitism on a scale never seen before.
Jewish mourners pray for peace and acceptance
Thousands from the Jewish community have gathered in Sydney’s eastern suburbs for a solemn vigil to mark a year since the brutal October 7 terrorist attacks and to grieve the more than 1200 Israelis killed.