‘Inflammatory’: Bruce Lehrmann seeks court costs in anti-corruption watchdog’s probe of leaked submarine info
Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has appeared in court, seeking to have his “substantial legal fees” paid following a raid on his home.
Mr Lehrmann said the raid — by the anti-corruption watchdog National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) — was carried out following “James Bond”-like allegations that he used “official” information related to French submarines.
He has launched legal action against Special Minister of State Don Farrell and Paul Brereton – the commissioner of the NACC – over legal costs incurred when the watchdog raided his home in June last year.
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In his Federal Court filing, Mr Lehrmann is pushing for “substantial legal costs” he says he paid in connection with the probe, but did not cite a figure.
On Wednesday, Mr Lehrmann told the court he needed time to amend his originating application in light of what he claimed was “inflammatory and quite intimidatory correspondence” from the legal team representing NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton.
“I need to seek advice as to how I respond to that, and by way of seeking relief in amending the application” Mr Lehrmann said.
“It’s my position the Commonwealth is delaying funding unnecessarily, as a denial of procedural fairness.”
Mr Lehrmann said he viewed raids carried out by the NACC in June 2024 were “unlawful”, in addition to “secret” hearings and a non-publication notation made by the commissioner.
“I foreshadow that may be included in an amended application,” he said.
But Federal Court Judge Brigitte Markovic said none of these matters were raised in the current application.
Judge Markovic asked: “As I understand the current application, it is about the question of the funding of your appearances before the commission, is that correct?”
Mr Lehrmann said it was, clarifying he was seeking a decision to be made about how the funding would be provided.
NACC regulations allow anyone who is appearing before the commission or proposing a review of a matter under the NACC Act to receive financial assistance for legal representation.
News.com.au reports Mr Lehrmann states in a document he would be entitled to funding for legal representation.
“In reliance on that acknowledgment, the Applicant engaged legal representatives and incurred substantial legal costs, including counsel’s fees and solicitors’ fees,” he claims in the document.
The court was told questions about such funding needed to be directed to the Attorney-General.
Barrister Bora Kaplan, appearing for both respondents, said he did not oppose Mr Lehrmann filing an interlocutory application seeking to amend his originating application.
“Correspondence was sent to (Mr Lehrmann) … highlighting what we consider to be deficiencies in the originating application,” he told the court.
Justice Markovic made orders for Mr Lehrman to file his amended originating application by October 1.
The case will return to court on October 15.
