Returning to the Federal Court for yet another application, lawyers for major media outlets have accused Christian Porter of pre-emptively seeking orders against them as a “classic example” of a party who proceeds with litigation in Australia’s “most open court” but refuses to accept that it comes with damages to their reputation.
Another point stressed by Ms Alick is that the South Australian Coroner and Coroner staff had received the unredacted defence for the purpose of their investigation into the death of the woman who accused Mr Porter of rape – he denies all allegations. Ms Alick said that under Mr Porter’s sought orders to prevent its use outside of court proceedings, it would mean that any use of the defence by the Coroner is prohibited.
The matter has been reserved and a written judgement will soon be available.