Former Cessnock Councillors Sue Liberal Party Over Botched Local Government Elections

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two former Cessnock councillors are leading a class action against the Liberal Party over the botched pre-selection Local Government saga last year.

Court documents show John Moores and Paul Paynter are the lead plaintiffs in the Supreme Court class action.

It comes after dozens of NSW Liberal candidates were not able to run in local elections last year after the state Liberal branch failed to meet a crucial pre-selection deadline.

The former councillors say the damage they suffered included the loss of councillor fees as well as distress and disappointment.

In a Statement Of Claim filed with the court, the councillors claim they were each required to pay a nomination fee $1200 for each winnable position on council and a $2000 donation to the Liberal Party toward the Cessnock City Council election campaign.

A directions hearing is scheduled for this Friday, May 16 2025. 

Former Cessnock Councillors John Moores (left) and Paul Paynter (right) Picture courtesy Inside Local Government

Father Of Greta Bus Crash Victim Launches Legal Action Against Linq Buslines

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A man who lost his son in the Hunter Valley bus crash is launching a legal fight against the bus company which owned the vehicle at the heart of the tragedy.

Ten wedding guests were killed and 25 were injured in the disastrous incident at Greta on the 11th of June.

Adam Bray, whose son Zac was killed in the rollover, has now met with lawyers and is launching a class action against Linq Buslines.

He claims the operator failed to meet its obligations under the chain of responsibility laws for heavy vehicle operators.

He's also launched a petition to have a bus safety campaign heard in Parliament.

The driver of the bus, Brett Button, remains before the courts and is facing 62 charges.

Image: Sydney Morning Herald

Government Agrees To Settle Class Action Claims Over PFAS Contamination At Williamtown

BY IAN CROUCH

It's the beginning of the end of a five year battle by residents living near the Williamtown RAAF base to address the health and environmental impacts from chemicals which leeched into groundwater from firefighting foam used for many years at the defence facility.

Late on Wednesday night an in-principal agreement was reached and a confidential settlement was being finalised for three Federal Court class actions involving residents from Williamtown in NSW, Oakey in Queensland and Katherine in the Northern Territory. It comes after their properties were rendered worthless and unproductive by the contamination.

The breakthrough followed two days of intense negotiations during mediation talks between legal counsel for the residents and the Defence Department.

The talks were being viewed as the last opportunity to reach a settlement before the class actions were to be heard in the Federal Court in April and follows previous unsuccessful attempts where the parties could not reach agreement.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Defence Personnel Minister Darren Chester released a joint statement on Wednesday night say the Government remains committed to engaging with those impacted by PFAS contamination.

"Reaching a settlement is not the end of Defence's engagement in these communities, however, it does represent an important milestone on what has been a difficult journey for many people over the past few years." they said.

Paterson Mp Meryl Swanson has also welcomed the breakthrough, congratulating the community after their hard-fought battle for compensation.

"I just felt so proud of my community and what they've been through. They've been to hell and back - they've been so courageous, they've been smart, and this agreement last night is the first step in what has been a terrible journey for them." she said.

One of many signs erected by frustrated residents impacted by the PFAS contamination