This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
Australia’s Prime Minister and a senior cabinet minister are likely to be called as witnesses in a landmark defamation case involving a HIA executive and the National president of the Builders Collective.
Yesterday, before a hearing in the Canberra Supreme Court the case between the HIA’s Christopher Lamont and Builders Collective president Phillip Dwyer sought directions.
The case finds its way into the Supreme Court of ACT after Mr. Dwyer sent a letter of concern in April this year to the Prime Minister Mr. John Howard about builders warranty insurance and the lack of action by the Small Business Department. Mr. Dwyer had been lobbying the Small Business Minister for some years about builders warranty insurance without a result.
At the time, Mr. Lamont was chief of staff for Small Business Minister Ms. Fran Bailey. Early this year, Mr. Lamont joined the HIA.
Mr. Lamont was represented by Phillips Fox, lawyers who do substantial work for the HIA, with Dwyer represented by traditional Canberra law firm Sneddon Hall & Gallop.
The early directions in the case will see Mr. Dwyer file a defence no later than mid September.
A media spokesman for Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Ted McDonnell told Australian Property Journal yesterday that with the matter now before the courts he could say very little.
However, when pushed about witnesses Mr. McDonnell added: “Naturally, in cases of this type people who are integrally involved in the originating matter are usually called as witnesses or have witness statements taken. At this stage, there is every possibility the Prime Minister and Ms Bailey will be called.”
By Nelson Yap
