House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Ministerial Statement Ministerial Statement Easling Judgement Costs EASLING JUDGEMENT COSTS The Hon. J.M. RANKINE House of Assembly Wright Minister for Families and Communities Minister for Housing Minister for Ageing Minister for Disability The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability) (12:51): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement. Leave granted. The Hon. J.M. RANKINE House of Assembly The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: I was advised last Friday evening that a default judgement had been awarded against me in a defamation action being taken by Mr Tom Easling. The judgement follows the failure to lodge a defence in the proceedings. This was an oversight for which I take full responsibility. I have instructed my lawyer to make an application to have the judgement set aside. My lawyer has since advised me that she has contacted Mr Easling's lawyers to inform them of this application. Subject to the court granting the application and setting aside the judgement, I intend to defend the matter vigorously. As part of my defence, I intend to provide all relevant documents. While I have been granted an indemnity with respect to this matter, I will personally meet any costs associated with my application to have the judgement set aside. The taxpayer will not pay any costs caused by my oversight.