Defamation case returns
Ex-LGAQ boss in bid to reopen action
A BLOG maintained by Division 2 Cairns Councillor Rob Pyne is now the subject of legal proceedings as former LGAQ boss Greg Hallam seeks to reopen his defamation case against the former Cairns MP.
Mr Hallam is suing Cr Pyne, among others, over a series of allegedly defamatory Facebook posts; he filed for $2.5m in damages in 2018.
A meme that likened Mr Hallam to Star Wars villain Jabba the Hutt has been central to the trial, which was due to hear final submissions later this month.
But a letter accompanying an affidavit sent to Cr Pyne from King and Company Solicitors, the lawyers representing Mr Hallam, states Mr Hallam will apply for leave to reopen his case by seeking to tender an affidavit that cites Cr Pyne’s commentary on the trial’s proceedings, via a blog, as relevant to the matter before the court.
The letter states the plaintiff will contend the affidavit is relevant to, among other things, “the need for a greater quantum of damages to be awarded against you to vindicate Mr Hallam”.
The letter also states the affidavit is relevant to Cr Pyne’s “continuing refusal to apologise” and “Mr Hallam’s claim for aggravated damages”.
Mr Hallam will contend the blog, titled Council Mayors Silencing Dissent, was posted after his case closed and includes material from the trial including evidence presented before the court.
Cr Pyne labelled the move by Mr Hallam as “punitive”.
“King and Co Solicitors have advised me by letter of their intention to reopen the case against me,” Cr Pyne said.
“King and Co made special reference to my honest account of my trial.
“They may think they are grinding me down, but they are wrong.”
An LGAQ spokeswoman said the LGAQ had a duty of care to its employees, one it took seriously.
“This procedural matter will not delay either the final submissions or the judgement and the LGAQ looks forward to receiving the court’s decision,” the spokeswoman said.