Barry Dean

WA premier Mark McGowan’s text messages between Kerry Stokes and the WA Attorney General have been revealed at the trial in Clive Palmer’s defamation case, including an exchange in which the state’s leader thanks the media baron for the “marvellous front pages”.

Taking the stand Monday in a defamation dispute with mining billionaire Clive Palmer, WA premier Mark McGowan said Palmer’s “hurtful and outrageous” public comments led to death threats against his wife and family.

Clive Palmer said he feared for his physical safety as a result of the criminal immunity granted to the WA government by legislation and the consequent ‘political campaign’ waged against him, as he took the stand for the first time in his defamation trial against the WA premier.

A judge overseeing the closely watched trial in Clive Palmer’s defamation case against WA Premier Mark McGowan has vented his frustrations with the state of Australian defamation proceedings, railing against what he said was the common practice of parties refusing to concede even minor points. 

Comments made about Clive Palmer by Western Australia premier Mark McGowan in press conferences were “heavy with historical and sinister significance”, a court has heard on the first day of trial in the mining billionaire’s defamation case. 

The sister of NBA star Ben Simmons has been ordered to pay $550,000 in damages to half-brother Sean Tribe for a series of Tweets alleging Tribe sexually molested her as a child.

Liberal MP Christian Porter has won his bid to block Nine and News Corp from using secret portions of ABC’s defence to his defamation allegations that the media giants accessed as intervenors in the former Attorney-General’s case.

A judge has dismissed an application by YouTube comedian Jordan Shanks for a jury trial in a defamation case brought by NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, citing the complexity of the case and the uncertainties of COVID-19.

Liberal MP Christian Porter is effectively asking the court to “protect his reputation” by seeking to block Nine and NewsCorp from using secret portions of the ABC’s defence to his defamation allegations, Nine told a judge in opposing the move.

Liberal MP Christian Porter has asked a court to ensure Nine and News Corp. do not use secret portions of ABC’s defence to his defamation allegations, which the media giants accessed as intervenors in the former federal Attorney-General’s case.