Overview

• Justice Brigitte Markovic referred Bruce Lehrmann’s claim against Special Minister of State Don Farrell to mediation to be completed by December 1.
• Lehrmann says NACC officials told him during hearings that his legal representation would be funded, yet no payment has been approved.
• The minister’s lawyer said the funding request is still being processed and opposed mediation, prompting the judge to question the delay.
• A one-day Federal Court hearing in February is scheduled for interlocutory issues, including his bid to quarantine two seized diaries and related suppression or stay applications.
• The dispute stems from NACC’s Operation Ivanhoe, which included a June 2024 raid over alleged use of French submarine information, as Lehrmann also pursues appeals tied to earlier civil findings.