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Senator suing Seven over Today Tonight report

A NSW senator is suing the Seven Network over a Today Tonight report on parliamentary travel entitlements.

NSW Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is suing the Seven Network over a Today Tonight report on parliamentary travel entitlements. It described her $17,000 study tour of the Italian wool industry as a “dubious” mission to “reconnect with her heritage”.

The Australian reports that Seven has indicated it will rely on the defences of truth, contextual truth, honest opinion and fair comment.

The case will require a jury after NSW District Court judge Leonard Levy called for submissions on why a jury trial, which Seven favoured, was necessary.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells complained to the Court of Appeals that “media defendants in every case request a jury”, and suggested they result in “bottlenecks and delay.”

But the court ruled a jury would be capable of dealing with the evidence.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells has since said she is pleased her case would be heard by a jury.

Source: The Australian