One Nation Founder to Sue Tony Abbott

The co-founder of the One Nation Party, David Ettridge, is planning to sue Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for damages amounting to more than $1.5 million.

David Ettridge alleges that Mr Abbott of acted unlawfully in 1998 by “assisting and encouraging” litigation against One Nation in the Queensland courts.

He alleges the court action was false and malicious and the resulting damage affected him greatly.

He also accuses Mr Abbott of attempting to pervert the course of justice by providing lawyers “to propel those false claims through the courts”.

“I will be filing a claim against Tony Abbott in the Brisbane Supreme Court seeking damages in excess of $1.5 million,” Mr Ettridge told AAP on Tuesday.

“I will also be asking the court to compel Mr Abbott to release the names of the people who contributed to Mr Abbott’s ‘Australians for Honest Politics Trust’, so the trust can be fully examined for whatever contribution it made to any unlawful activity at that time.”

Mr Ettridge said he would be alleging that those donors became co-conspirators in Mr Abbott’s actions.

He said Mr Abbott should face the allegations before he seeks to become Australia’s next prime minister.

“If my claims are found by the court to be true then Mr Abbott may need to step aside and avoid bringing any embarrassment to the highest public office in Australia.

“For Mr Abbott, this is karma and I expect to be inundated by lawyers offering their services pro bono so I receive justice in this matter”.