Media Law - Wotton Kearney

Case Alerts

Open justice under pressure: Queensland suppression order highlights evolving tensions

By: Georgie Austin and Isabelle Ferrali The Queensland Supreme Court has upheld an interim suppression order in a case testing the limits of open justice. The decision considered whether a non-publication order could extend to a prominent third party known as “MM”, whose identity was connected to alleged extortion proceedings but who was not an […]

By : Joshua Weiler Sep 2, 2026 Comments Off

Privacy at a crossroads: Australia’s new tort awaits its defining case

By: Richard Leder and Isabelle Ferrali Introduction For decades, Australian privacy law was characterised as much by what it did not protect as by what it did. Unlike the United Kingdom, Australia had no generally recognised cause of action allowing an individual to sue simply because another person had invaded their privacy or misused their […]

By : Joshua Weiler Aug 17, 2026 Comments Off

Case Alerts

Bondi Icebergs founder Maurice Terzini, Nine and the new privacy tort

By: Leah Mooney, Georgie Austin and Isabelle Ferrali Introduction Bondi Icebergs founder Maurice Terzini has commenced proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court against Nine Entertainment and his former wife, Emma Addams, in what could be the first substantial case invoking the newly legislated tort of serious invasion of privacy. According to the statement of claim, Terzini […]

By : Joshua Weiler Aug 5, 2026 Comments Off

Case Alerts

Private group chats can attract equitable protection, NSW Supreme Court confirms

By: Georgie Austin and Hannah Moore AB v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2026] NSWSC 767 Introduction The New South Wales Supreme Court’s decision in AB v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2026] NSWSC 767 is an interesting authority on the protection of confidential electronic communications and the availability of interlocutory relief to restrain threatened media publication. The case […]

By : Joshua Weiler Jul 9, 2026 Comments Off

Articles

New public interest defence tested in landmark Federal Court decision

By: Richard Leder and Isabelle Ferrali Al Muderis v Nine Network Limited In a landmark decision, the Federal Court of Australia has sent a clear message to plaintiffs: think very carefully before embarking on a defamation suit. Background and details of the Al Muderis v Nine Network Limited case Last Friday afternoon, 8 August 2025, […]

By : Joshua Weiler Aug 11, 2025 Comments Off

Articles

Is the new tort for serious invasion of privacy relevant to Government?

By: Clare McNamara From 10 June 2025, serious invasions of privacy are actionable as a new statutory tort in Australia. The new tort was introduced by addition of a new Schedule 2 to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). Note that Schedule 2 was inserted into the Privacy Act 1988 by the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill […]

By : Joshua Weiler Jun 20, 2025 Comments Off

Articles

New tort of serious invasion of privacy

By: Richard Leder, Georgie Austin, Nicole Gabryk, Zoë Burchill and Isabelle Ferrali At a glance From 10 June 2025, serious invasions of privacy will become legally actionable in Australia. This marks a major reform, introducing a new privacy tort that allows individuals to bring claims for either intrusions upon seclusion (such as unauthorised surveillance) or […]

By : Joshua Weiler Jun 6, 2025 Comments Off

Thought Leadership

Future Proof ‘25: Insurance and risk insights across Asia-Pacific

The future of insurance and risk in Asia-Pacific is here, and rapidly evolving. Are you ready? In a world marked by rapid technological advancement, innovation, evolving regulatory demands and increasing complexity across multiple risk sectors, Future Proof ’25 examines the diverse forces reshaping insurance and business landscapes. This report highlights emerging trends and critical challenges […]

By : Joshua Weiler May 22, 2025 Comments Off

Articles, Case Alerts

Federal Court judge finds John Pesutto defamed Moira Deeming

By: Georgie Austin and Deniz Coskundag Deeming v Pesutto (No 3) [2024] FCA 1430 At a glance Parliamentary Member Ms Moira Deeming was awarded $300,000 in damages after the Federal Court ruled that she was defamed by a series of statements and media interviews made by Victorian Opposition Leader Mr John Pesutto, following a rally […]

By : Joshua Weiler Dec 17, 2024 Comments Off

Articles, Case Alerts

Victorian Court of Appeal allows Western Bulldogs’ appeal against damages award

By: Richard Leder, Blake Pappas and Deniz Coskundag Footscray Football Club Ltd v Adam Kneale [2024] VSCA 314 At a glance The Victorian Court of Appeal has allowed the Club’s appeal against the quantum of Mr Kneale’s general damages and economic loss claim, significantly reducing the jury’s $5.9 million award of damages to $2.6 million. The […]

By : Joshua Weiler Dec 13, 2024 Comments Off

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