Ex-PM Kristina Keneally wins huge victory after being sued by three sisters for ‘mental suffering’
- Kristina Keneally lawsuit dismissed from ICAC investigation
- Ex-premier of NSW was sued by three sisters
A lawsuit against ex-NSW Prime Minister Kristina Keneally brought by three sisters over an ICAC investigation has been dismissed.
Former politician Kristina Keneally was sued by Sandra, Michelle and Jessica Lazarus at the Supreme Court before the case was dismissed Tuesday.
The sisters had alleged that the former senator was responsible for inflicting chronic and severe mental suffering on them by endorsing an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2010 and 2011 when she was prime minister.
The investigation was conducted into allegations of fraudulent financial activity at two major Sydney hospitals, the Royal Hospital for Women and the Royal North Shore Hospital, between 2007 and 2009.
Former NSW Prime Minister Kristina Keneally (pictured) has won a major victory after the lawsuit filed by three sisters over an ICAC investigation was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Tuesday
The sisters had alleged that the former senator was responsible for inflicting chronic and severe mental suffering on them by authorizing an investigation by an independent anti-corruption commission in 2010 and 2011 when Ms Keneally was prime minister.
The ICAC report found that Sandra had authorized payments without authorization for invoices to companies in which she had an undisclosed interest.
In April 2015, she was convicted of fraud and sentenced to at least 16 months in prison.
Her sister Michelle was found guilty of giving false and misleading evidence to the commission and received a six-month suspended sentence.
Both sisters appealed their verdict
Jessica was not charged and, according to the ICAC report, her involvement in the investigation was “limited.”
The three Lazarus sisters alleged that the commission had acted outside its jurisdiction and claimed they had not committed any crimes.
They further alleged that Ms. Keneally caused them mental anguish by approving the lengthy investigation.
The court was previously told that the Lazarus sisters had expressed their intent to issue a cease and desist notice.
However, Justice Mark Ierace refused to do so on Tuesday.
Ms Keneally was the Prime Minister of NSW from December 2009 to March 2011. She then transitioned into federal politics and served as a Senator from 2018 to April this year
Lawyers for the Lazarus sisters were in court on Tuesday when Judge Ierace dismissed their summons, ending the proceedings.
Mrs Keneally was the Premier of NSW from December 2009 to March 2011.
She then moved into federal politics and served as a senator from 2018 to April this year.
During last year’s federal election, she made an unsuccessful bid for Fowler’s formerly safe seat in Sydney’s southwest.
