Duma takes Aust journalists to court

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
IN a rare case, if not the first, a PNG MP has taken two Australian journalists to the Australian Federal Court on a defamation case over an article published by the duo and their newspaper.
State Enterprises Minister William Duma filed and started defamation proceedings against journalists Angus Grigg and Jemima Whyte (respondents) over an article published in the Australian Financial Review newspaper last year which Duma claims defamed him. The case began last week when Duma and his witnesses gave evidence before the Federal Court of Australia via a zoom court in Port Moresby.
The virtual court hearing, via video link through the zoom software, live streams the case from Australia to PNG, making it convenient for both parties to attend and observe the case from different locations due to the current circumstances regarding the Covid-19.
The case resumed on Tuesday which saw Grigg giving his
evidence and will be cross-examined by Duma’s lawyer later this week.
Duma is represented by Barristers Peter Gray QC and Nicholas Olson and the respondents are represented by Barrister Dauid Sibtain.
The federal court proceedings is presided by Justice Anna Katzmann in Sydney.
The hearing continues today.