New twist in SA Premier’s $2.3m lawsuit row as appeal lodged

Former MP Annabel Digance had previously attempted to sue Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian government for $2.3m over a long-running and bitter legal dispute.

The saga centred around blackmail charges laid against Mrs Digance and her husband Greg, which were later dropped.

The debacle led to Mrs Digance attempting to sue Mr Malinauskas for his role in the aborted prosecution, which she alleged was “malicious”.

Last month, the civil case was dismissed in the Supreme Court, with Associate Justice Graham Dart ruling there was “no reasonable basis” for Mrs Digance’s claims against the Premier.

Following the ruling, Mr Malinausaks welcomed the judgment.

“I knew at the time that when I reported the matter to police it would set in train a sequence of events that was beyond my control, and it would be very public and there would be difficult days associated with that politically,” he said.

“I am particularly grateful for the court decision because I think it sends a clear message to people in any position of responsibility that there is nothing to fear in doing the right thing.”

However, following the judgment, his former Labor colleague warned that the dispute was “far from over” and confirmed an appeal would be lodged.

And now, the high profile case is set to return to court once more, after a new date was set.

Following a brief hearing at the South Australian Supreme Court, which was attended by neither of the politicians in person, it was confirmed an appeal hearing would be held later this year.

During the short, procedural hearing, Justice Mark Livesey gave both legal teams August deadlines to make their submissions to the court.

The court heard that Mrs Digance’s appeal would be submitted on four separate grounds, including reference to “unidentified evidence”.

However, the court did not hear the full basis of these grounds.

The case was adjourned until Monday, September 14.