After broadcaster reveals it has no more recordings of the One Nation leader, Hanson drops case and is ordered to pay costs

Pauline Hanson drops legal action against ABC to prevent release of recordings

One Nation senator Pauline Hanson has dropped legal proceedings against the ABC in which she had sought to stop the broadcaster airing “secret” telephone recordings.

The case was launched after recordings relating to One Nation officials were leaked to the media by the party’s former treasurer in Queensland Ian Nelson.

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Hanson’s lawyers on Tuesday discontinued proceedings against the ABC in the NSW supreme court after the broadcaster last week revealed it had no additional recordings. The 63-year-old was ordered to pay the ABC’s legal fees.

The broadcaster’s barrister, Sandy Dawson, said it was a “tactical move” by Hanson, who had effectively pulled the rug from under them.

“It is plain what is happening here – Ms Hanson does not want the ABC making submissions today,” he said.

Dawson said Hanson should also pay for his time preparing over the weekend. He said her team should have told the ABC earlier that proceedings would be withdrawn.

Justice Francois Kunc said Dawson risked “boxing at a shadow”.

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“It was a lot more than a shadow,” Dawson replied.

Hanson is proceeding with her action against Nelson.

On Thursday Kunc ordered the former One Nation treasurer be restrained from “broadcasting, publishing, distributing, copying” or using telephone recordings that concern the party or Hanson. The injunction was due to expire at 4pm on Tuesday.

Nelson’s lawyer, James Cremin, said all the recordings his client had held were now destroyed except for one that was with a solicitor.

Nelson would “welcome the opportunity” to have an expert check his devices for other material, the lawyer said.

