TASMANIAN poppy manufacturer TPI Enterprises is suing one of the State's peak lobby groups for defamation and misleading and deceptive conduct.
The case, before the Supreme Court of Victoria, relates to comments made by Poppy Growers Tasmania president Glynn Williams during an ABC interview in October last year, where he was asked about TPI's commitment to growing poppies in Tasmania.
TPI alleged Mr Williams' comments meant Ross Dobinson (TPI chief executive) and Jarrod Ritchie (TPI managing director) were responsible for TPI contributing to "a position of panic" within the local industry by "exaggerating an alleged shortage of suitable land in Tasmania" to justify the company's plans to import poppies.
TPI went on to allege Mr Williams' remarks meant pair were also responsible for TPI offering an inferior service to other local processors and making false public statements regarding Tasmania's poppy supply.
In 2013, the Tasmanian Government approved a TPI application to import 2000 tonnes of poppy straw, which at the time was considered a one-off approval.
In February this year the company reportedly received approval to import a further 2300t of straw from Turkey, the UK and Portugal. This approval was fiercely opposed by Mr Williams, who has openly championed Tasmania's capacity to grow more poppies.
In December last year the Victorian Government introduced legislation to support a commercial alkaloid poppy industry in Victoria – a decision which has been challenged by Poppy Growers Tasmania.
Mr Williams revealed to Stock & Land earlier this month that he was in ongoing discussions with government and didn't see a commercial crop in Victoria for 2014 as a foregone conclusion.
TPI's statement of claim states that in light of subsequent republications of Mr Williams' comments, Mr Dobinson and Mr Ritchie have been "gravely injured in their feelings credit and reputation", "been humiliated, embarrassed and held up to hatred, ridicule and contempt" and "been injured in their profession and suffered loss or damage, for which the defendants are liable".
TPI's claims in which it sues for damages, aggravated damages and costs were denied by Poppy Growers Tasmania at a directions hearing in Melbourne on May 16.
The lobby group's defence said its president's statements that were based on fact were true and those based on opinion were "a fair comment on a matter of public interest".
Victorian Supreme Court judge John Dixon adjourned the summons for directions to September to allow the defendant time to respond to TPI's further amended statement of claim, which was due on May 23.
In 2009, TPI was taken to court by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which alleged that TPI and Mr Ritchie – a former GSK employee – had misused confidential information gained from his time as an employee at the company.
TPI won the case as a judge awarded costs against GSK on an indemnity basis, which meant it had to pay almost all of TPI's legal bill, estimated at between $2 million and $3m.
