Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey says Fairfax Media "brought his reputation into disrepute and contempt" by publishing a series of articles about fundraising activities in his electorate.

Mr Hockey is suing The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Canberra Times for defamation over the stories, which were published earlier this month.

Documents filed in the Federal Court show Mr Hockey will claim the representation of the matters was "over sensational, extravagant and unfair" and intended to injure him.

The court documents lodged by lawyers yesterday outline Mr Hockey's claims of defamation, including the publisher's "failure to apologise in terms reasonably requested".

The particulars of the claims of aggravated damages include:

"The publication by the respondent of a grossly defamatory placard in order to increase sales of the Sydney Morning Herald at the expense of the applicant's reputation," the documents said.

"The continued publication by the respondent of the third matter complained of on the internet despite the respondent being put on notice as to the defamatory nature of the matter."

Mr Hockey is claiming aggravated damages, interest and costs, although he has not specified an amount.

The Treasurer's office yesterday released a statement saying: "The Treasurer's determination to seek to prosecute this matter against the relevant publications should not be underestimated."

At the time the articles were published, Mr Hockey's office said they were "offensive and repugnant".