Townsville Mayor to fight $3 million lawsuit for allegedly defaming Clive Palmer
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Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill will defend a $3 million lawsuit for alleged defamatory comments she made about embattled businessman Clive Palmer.
Mr Palmer has accused Councillor Hill of making false and damaging statements that were published in a Courier Mail article in January.
The comments were about Mr Palmer's involvement in the collapse of the Queensland Nickel refinery, which saw 800 workers sacked.
Mr Palmer lodged the claim against Cr Hill, who is also a member of the Queensland Labor Party, in February.
In documents lodged with the Brisbane Supreme Court and obtained by the ABC, Cr Hill outlined, through her solicitor, her intention to defend the case.
"The defendant denies the allegations in … the statement of claim on the basis that the allegations set out therein are untrue," the document read.
Palmer portrayed as 'criminal' who 'destroyed' Townsville
In Mr Palmer's affidavit, his lawyers said there has been no payment or settlement in the proceedings.
They said the words Cr Hill used portrayed their client as "maliciously destroying the lives of his employees and those of the Townsville community".
They said the "extravagant and sensationalised" language used implied "that Mr Palmer misappropriated funds from Queensland Nickel for his own gain that ought to have been paid to ex-employees," and that he "has been the sole cause of distress to ex-employees of Queensland Nickel".
Mr Palmer has denied that he owes money to employees because he was not running or in charge of Queensland Nickel.
"Due to the republication of the statements made by the Defendant by the Courier Mail, the Plaintiff has been greatly injured in his credit, his reputation, and has suffered and will continue to suffer loss and damage as a consequence," the documents read.
His lawyers also said Cr Hill's comments insinuated that Mr Palmer was involved in committing a crime, and failed as a member of Parliament.
Mr Palmer was the Federal Member for Fairfax with the Palmer United Party.
The businessman has announced plans to re-enter the political arena under a new group, United Australia Party, and would consider running against current Labor MP for Herbert Cathy O'Toole.
Mr Palmer's lawyers also said Cr Hill's comments damaged his companies' opportunities to engage in trade within Australia.
The former Federal MP recently announced he would reopen the Queensland Nickel refinery near Townsville.
The ABC has contacted Jenny Hill for comment.
Topics: law-crime-and-justice, courts-and-trials, clive-palmer, person, government-and-politics, townsville-4810, qld, australia, brisbane-4000
