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Joe Hockey to sue Fairfax for defamation over ‘Treasurer for sale’ headline

FairfaxTreasurer Joe Hockey is launching defamation action against Fairfax Media over a story last week which suggested he was selling access to businesses and lobbyists in return for donations to the Liberal Party.

The Australian reports, Hockey is to launch the court action over the front page which appeared on the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last Monday week ahead of the federal budget under the headline “Treasurer for sale”.

A spokesman for Hockey is quoted as saying: “The Treasurer has filed statements of claim in the federal court in relation to defamation proceedings against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times and their online services.” 

Last week disparaging and altered images of Hockey were on the front page of nearly every major newspaper after the budget. 

At the time of posting Fairfax had not responded to requests for comment.

 

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