The Treasurer, Joe Hockey, is suing Fairfax Media for defamation over a series of articles about a fundraising forum which offered access to the treasurer in exchange for donations of thousands of dollars.
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Mr Hockey claims as a result of the articles, published on May 5, he has been "greatly injured, shunned and avoided and his reputation has been and will be bought into disrepute, odium, ridicule and contempt".
He says Fairfax Media's "over sensational, extravagant and unfair presentation" of the articles indicate an "intent to injure" him.
He is claiming damages, including aggravated damages, interest and costs, although the amount of damages is not specified.
In documents filed in the Federal Court on Tuesday, Mr Hockey claims the articles conveyed he "accepted bribes paid to influence the decisions he made as Treasurer",
Alternatively, the articles conveyed the defamatory imputation he "was prepared to accept bribes paid to influence the decisions he made as Treasurer" and "corruptly solicited payments to influence his decisions as Treasurer".
In a statement of claim Mr Hockey says if those imputations are not found, the articles portrayed him as "corrupt in that he was prepared to accept payments to influence his decisions as Treasurer".
Alternatively, the articles conveyed he "corruptly sells privileged access to himself to a select group which include business people and business lobbyists in return for donations to the Liberal Party" and he "knowingly permitted a Liberal Party fundraising forum with which he is associated to accept money from the corrupt Obeid family".
Mr Hockey, who is represented by top media law firm Johnson, Winter and Slattery, is suing for aggravated damages on the grounds Fairfax Media printed and distributed a placard "Exclusive, Treasurer for Sale. Herald Investigation" to be placed outside newsagents.
He says it was "grossly defamatory" and designed to "increase sales of the Sydney Morning Herald at the expense of the [his] reputation".
Further, Fairfax Media's decision to keep the articles on its websites despite being "put on notice" by Mr Hockey about a possible defamation claim gives rise to an increased amount of damages, the documents say.
Mr Hockey says Fairfax Media knew the imputations he claim were conveyed were false. He also complains Fairfax Media failed to apologise to him in terms he suggested by way of a letter sent the day of publication.
The matter will be heard before Justice Peter Jacobson on June 12.
