Deeming v Pesutto (No 3) [2024] FCA 1430

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA Deeming v Pesutto (No 3) [2024] FCA 1430 File number(s):

Judgment of: O'CALLAGHAN J

Date of judgment: 12 December 2024

Catchwords: DEFAMATION – proceeding against the Leader of the Opposition in the Victorian Parliament brought by a Member expelled from the Parliamentary Liberal Party – imputations pleaded in respect of five impugned publications – consideration of whether imputations conveyed –– consideration of whether publication of defamatory matter about the applicant has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm to her reputation within the meaning of s 10A(1) of the Defamation Act 2005 (Vic) (the Act) – serious harm found – defences of public interest under s 29A of the Act, honest opinion under s 31 of the Act, Lange qualified privilege and contextual truth under s 26 of the Act pleaded – where defences not made out – where applicant sought general damages for non-economic loss – where applicant sought aggravated damages – assessment of damages – quantification of damages

Defamation Act 2005 (Vic) ss 10A, 10A(1), 20, 20(1), 20(2), 26, 29A, 29A(1)(b), 29A(3)(a), 29A(3)(g), 31, 31(4), 31(4)(a), 31(5)(b)(i), 34, 35(2), 35(2A), 35(2B), 36 Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 56, 81 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 79 Defamation Act 2013 (UK) s 1

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