Peter Dutton has followed through with his threat to sue social media users for defamation by starting proceedings against Twitter user Shane Bazzi for calling Dutton a “rapist apologist”. But there is a video and a Twitter message below of Peter Dutton saying, “QLD Premier Palaszczuk should be shamed into joining a federal push for a public sex offender register” and asking “why Premier Palaszczuk is siding with and protecting paedophiles and sex offenders is just beyond anyone’s comprehension and it is for her to explain”.

I have no doubt the below video of Peter Dutton and his message on Twitter totally undermine Peter Dutton’s defamation case. Shane Bazzi should file an application to have the matter thrown out for being frivolous and vexatious based on Dutton’s video and Tweet.

Dutton and his lawyer Georgina Foster are refusing to answer media questions, such as who is paying his legal fees, that I emailed them on Tuesday the 27th of April as per below.  

Legal Threat

The SMH reported on Monday (26/4/21):

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has filed Federal Court defamation proceedings against a refugee advocate over a tweet labelling him a “rape apologist”, making good on his threat to take legal action over social media posts.

Mr Dutton is seeking damages, including aggravated damages, and costs. He is the second federal Liberal minister to launch defamation proceedings this year, following Christian Porter’s highly-publicised case against the ABC.

Mr Dutton told 2GB radio host Ray Hadley in March that he was “going to start to pick out some of them [social media users] to sue, because we need to have … a respectful public debate”.

In documents filed in court, Mr Dutton’s lawyers say Mr Bazzi’s tweet conveys four defamatory imputations, including that he condones and excuses rape. (Click here to read more)

Response

Shane Bazzi posted a Tweet on his Twitter account, @shanebazzi, with a lawyer’s letter attached (Click here to see the letter) saying he would “vigorously defend” the matter.

Peter Dutton on Twitter – 4th of December 2020

Below is the Tweet Peter Dutton published on Twitter last year with the video he attached to the Tweet saying, “QLD Premier Palaszczuk should be shamed into joining a federal push for a public sex offender register” and asking “why Premier Palaszczuk is siding with and protecting paedophiles and sex offenders is just beyond anyone’s comprehension and it is for her to explain”.

The Tweet and video can currently still be seen on Peter Dutton’s Twitter account (Click here to see: @PeterDutton_MP) but I suspect once he sees this article it might be deleted quick.

Federal MP Peter Dutton is now using lawyers to threaten social media users with defamation to try and silence critics. It’s a bit rich coming from a politician with a long history of corruption with no morals or ethics so in this article we’ll have a look at some of Dutton’s failings which includes but is not limited to protecting paedophiles, fraud, benefiting from election fraud and lying about why he left the QLD Police Force. (Click here to read more)

Emails to Peter Dutton and his lawyer

I emailed Peter Dutton the below media questions:

From: SHANE DOWLING
Sent: Tuesday, 27 April 2021 3:24 PM
To: Peter.Dutton.MP@aph.gov.au
Subject: Media questions – Defamation case against Shane Bazzi

Dear Mr Peter Dutton

I am writing an article about your defamation case against Shane Bazzi for writing on Twitter “Peter Dutton is a rape apologist” and I have a few questions?

1. I published an article, on the 10-4-21, titled “Paedophile protector Peter Dutton MP threatens defamation proceedings against Twitter users for calling him a rapist apologist”. Do you intend on suing me as well?
2. Who is paying your legal fees to sue Shane Bazzi?
3. If your wife is paying your legal fees, is it from money she was paid by the federal government as subsidies for her Child Care businesses?

Please respond by 6pm today.

Regards

Shane Dowling

I then decided to also email Dutton’s lawyer’s media questions as per below: 

From: SHANE DOWLING
Sent: Tuesday, 27 April 2021 4:19 PM
To: GEORGINA.FOSTER@BAKERMCKENZIE.COM
Cc: ANTHONY.FOLEY@BAKERMCKENZIE.COM; JOHN.WALKER@BAKERMCKENZIE.COM
Subject: Media questions – Peter Dutton’s defamation case against Shane Bazzi

Dear Ms Georgina Foster – Partner at Baker McKenzie Lawyers

I am writing an article about your client’s (Peter Dutton’s) defamation case against Shane Bazzi for writing on Twitter “Peter Dutton is a rape apologist” and I have a few questions?

1. I published an article, on the 10-4-21, titled “Paedophile protector Peter Dutton MP threatens defamation proceedings against Twitter users for calling him a rapist apologist”. Does Peter Dutton intend on suing me as well?
2. Who is paying your legal fees to sue Shane Bazzi? Peter Dutton or the government?
3. On average how much does your law firm, Baker McKenzie, receive from the federal government on a yearly basis?
4. Are you giving Peter Dutton mates rates for his legal fees?

Please respond by 7pm today.

Regards

Shane Dowling

At this point, neither Peter Dutton nor his lawyers have responded to the questions in the above emails.

Issues that are on the line – Free speech and political communication

If Peter Dutton gets away with his frivolous and vexatious defamation claim, then other politicians will be sure to follow suit and try to silence many critics so it is important for everyone to rise and support Shane Bazzi.

Remember the saying “The first casualty of war is truth” as we watch the corrupt Defence Minister Peter Dutton declare war on social media users and sue a Twitter user for defamation in the Federal Court. The irony should not be lost on anyone.

Please use Twitter, Facebook, email and the other buttons below and help promote this article.

Kangaroo Court of Australia is an independent website and is reliant on donations to keep publishing so please click on the Patreon button below and support independent journalism.

If you would like to support via PayPal use the button below or for other donation options click here to go to the Donations page.

Thank you for your support.

For the KCA t-shirt shop click here.