Senator David Leyonhjelm to appeal federal court’s defamation lawsuit decision

Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm says he intends to appeal the federal court’s decision to allow Sarah Hanson-Young’s defamation lawsuit against him to proceed.

The federal court rejected a bid to have the lawsuit halted earlier this afternoon.

Leyonhjelm told Tom Elliott he has “several defences”.

“Truth is always a good one and I think that might be applicable in this case,” he said.

“My lawyer’s advice to me is to appeal, they say this decision is not a sound judgment and I’m likely to go along with that advice.”

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The judge also ordered Leyonhjelm pay the Greens senator’s legal costs.

Hanson-Young is suing Leyonhjelm over interviews he gave earlier this year, in which he elaborated on his comments made in parliament, including telling Hanson-Young to “stop shagging men”.

The case returns to court on December 18.