One Nation co-founder suing Tony Abbott
Date
April 16, 2013
Tony Abbott: Accused of acting unlawfully.
A lawsuit by One Nation Party co-founder David Ettridge against federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will head to court next month.
Mr Ettridge is suing federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for damages of more than $1.5 million.
He has accused Mr Abbott of acting unlawfully in 1998 by assisting and encouraging litigation against One Nation in the Queensland courts.
Mr Ettridge alleges the court action was false and malicious and the resulting damage affected him greatly.
He also accuses Mr Abbott of attempting to pervert the course of justice by providing lawyers "to propel those false claims through the courts".
Mr Ettridge's lawyers served legal papers on Mr Abbott for damages on the weekend.
A spokesman for Mr Abbott said the papers had been received, but declined to comment further.
A directions hearing is set for the Brisbane Supreme Court on May 9 and Mr Abbott has received a summons to attend.
"Before Tony Abbott can become prime minister of Australia he needs to be judged on his suitability to hold the highest office in Australia," Mr Ettridge said in a statement.
"For his role in this disgraceful period of Australian political history, Tony Abbott has never been brought to account."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/one-nation-cofounder-suing-tony-abbott-20130416-2hytq.html#ixzz2Qf6O2yQ2