Fed: Sciacca to sue Abbott alleging defamation

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2000
Fed: Sciacca to sue Abbott alleging defamation

CANBERRA, Dec 3 AAP - Federal Opposition frontbencher Con Sciacca today denied allegations
of electoral roll irregularity, saying he will sue federal Employment Services Minister
Tony Abbott for alleged defamation.

Mr Abbott made the remarks on a television program while responding to a newspaper
report that two people had been recorded on the Queensland electoral roll using Mr Sciacca's
address.

In a statement today, Mr Sciacca said: "The couple Mr Abbott was referring to, following
an article in this morning's Brisbane Sunday Mail, are Ms Maxine Thornton and her former
husband, Mr Santo Coco, who were both residents in my electorate until their marriage
break-up, some time in 1992/93.

"Ms Thornton and Mr Coco were never enrolled at my address on either federal or state
electoral rolls.

"The matter has nothing to do with any aspect of federal or state law and I have done
nothing wrong."

Mr Sciacca said he would instruct his lawyers tomorrow to issue writs against Mr Abbott.

He said Mr Abbott had gone one gigantic step too far in making the comments outside
the parliament where he would have been protected by privilege.

"He has brought not only my political reputation into question, but also my reputation
as a highly respected legal figure in Queensland," Mr Sciacca said.

AAP kjp/md

KEYWORD: SWAN ABBOTT SCIACCA

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