FORMER Hunter Senator Brian Burston has filed a defamation action in court seeking $1 million in damages from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
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Mr Burston filed a statement of claim in the Supreme Court of Queensland this week alleging he was defamed in the text of a caption on the Facebook page "Pauline Hanson's Please Explain", where he was not named but where he alleges he could be identified.
The caption carried the defamatory imputations that he sexually harassed a person, cheated on his wife, was under investigation for sexual harassment and treated more than six staff "horribly", Mr Burston's claim said.
The claim notes that by October 16 there were 477 "reactions" to the post, 125 "shares" and it was "available to be viewed and comprehended by people throughout Australia and the rest of the world".
Mr Burston alleges he was also defamed in a letter by Pauline Hanson to the President of the Senate in February in which she named the then Senator Burston and raised sexual harassment and unfair dismissal allegations.
In his statement of claim Mr Burston alleged the letter carried the defamatory imputations that he mistreated his staff and was mentally ill and had been the subject of numerous sexual harassment claims.
Mr Burston also alleges he was defamed during a television interview in March in which Senator Hanson discussed an altercation between Mr Burston and her chief of staff James Ashby.
The interview carried the defamatory imputations that he was aggressive and vindictive, Mr Burston alleges in his claim.
Mr Burston also alleges he was defamed in a text message sent by Senator Hanson to Mr Burston's wife in February which he alleges carried the defamatory imputation that he does not value his wife or treat her with respect.
The statement of claim says Mr Burston sent a concerns notice to Senator Hanson on April 15 and demanded that she release a retraction.
"As at the date of commencing this proceeding the defendant has not responded to the plaintiff's letter, has not made any apology in respect of any matter... and did not make any offer to make amends," Mr Burston said in his claim.
The various comments caused damage to Mr Burston "in both his personal and professional reputation, as well as substantial hurt, distress and embarrassment", the claim said.
Mr Burston has sought aggravated damages because the allegations were untrue and Senator Hanson had not apologised, the claim said.
"The plaintiff (Mr Burston) has been unable to obtain alternative employment since being removed as a Senator," the claim noted.
The claim notes the "public falling out" between Senator Hanson and Mr Burston from 2018 and that Mr Burston left One Nation to join the United Australia Party.
Senator Hanson was contacted for comment.