Liberal deputy Sam Groth to test new privacy laws over ‘malicious gossip'

Sydney Morning Herald

2 days ago

Victorian Liberal MP and former tennis star Sam Groth could be a test case for Australia's new privacy laws after launching legal action against the Herald Sun and one of its journalists over what he claims was a serious invasion of his private life.
Groth and his wife, Brittany, on Wednesday issued a concerns notice against the newspaper after it published a series of reports suggesting their relationship began on an illegal basis.
The articles – which were condemned by Premier Jacinta Allan and Opposition Leader Brad Battin for breaching a long-held convention against scrutinising politicians' family lives – implied the couple began their sexual relationship while she was under 18 and he, as a tennis coach, was responsible for her care.
Groth, who is deputy leader of the state Liberal Party, issued a statement on Wednesday describing the reports as false and defamatory.
'Yesterday's publication about us was a shock and a disgrace,' he said. 'It was full of lies.
'It was a serious act of misconduct for a newspaper to name and shame an alleged victim without her prior knowledge or consent. It is shocking that a media company would behave this way in 2025 – taking away a woman's privacy and agency and causing her extreme distress as a mother.'
In a scathing concerns letter, lawyers for the Groths warned that the reports constituted a serious breach of Brittany Groth's privacy under a new tort law, which came into force in June.
The letter also signalled their intention to sue for defamation.
'The article...was, at best, malicious gossip which was not even investigated,' the letter reads. 'There was no basis to allege that any relevant sexual misconduct took place merely because our clients are said to have met when Mrs Groth was 17.