联邦自由党议员Andrew Hastie在一场诽谤案庭审中出庭作证，为自己向记者披露一段秘密录音的行为进行辩护[1][2]。Hastie否认此举是为了寻求政治利益，改而声称分享录音是出于公共利益考量[1][2]。
这起案件源于西澳房地产开发商Greg Poland对媒体集团Fairfax及其记者提起的诉讼[2]。Poland指控基于该录音发表的两篇报道对其造成诽谤[1]。根据Hastie的证词，他在2019年获得了一段秘密录音，其中Poland向砂矿商Aaron Grainger吹嘘他与州运输部长Rita Saffioti的关系，并提议以Myalup采矿权交换州政府在Peel地区倾倒有毒土壤的地点[1][2]。Hastie通过WhatsApp将音频文件分享给了前WAtoday记者Nathan Hondros，他解释这一选择是因为Hondros是一名平衡的记者且熟悉该地区[1]。
在庭审中，Hastie表示他主要关切是"州政府会将Peel地区用作倾倒场"[2]。他否认曾向Grainger承诺不会分享该录音，并称可能与当时的当地自由党议员Zak Kirkup分享过相关内容[2]。此外，Hastie还坦言他对七年半前的电话交谈内容已记不清楚[1]。
Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie testified in a defamation case denying that he sought political advantage by sharing a secret recording with journalists regarding a controversial soil disposal plan in Western Australia's Peel region [1][2]. Hastie stated he disclosed the audio in the public interest after obtaining a 2019 recording allegedly showing Greg Poland, former deputy chair of the Peel Development Commission, proposing to exchange mining rights for a government dumping site for toxic soil [1][2].
Poland has sued the Nine newspapers group and two reporters over two articles published by WAtoday based on the recording, claiming the content falsely portrayed him as engaged in corrupt dealings with the state government—allegations he has firmly rejected [2]. In the recording, Poland can be heard telling sand mining businessman Aaron Grainger that he had a relationship with then-Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, remarking "if we can do this, whatever you want, Rita will be your friend" regarding a land swap arrangement to handle "toxic" soil from the airport rail tunnel project [2].
Hastie confirmed he shared the audio file via WhatsApp with former WAtoday reporter Nathan Hondros, explaining he selected Hondros because he considered him a balanced journalist familiar with the region [1]. When asked about a conversation from seven and a half years prior, Hastie stated he could not clearly recall the details [1]. During cross-examination, Hastie denied promising Grainger the recording would not be shared and suggested he may have also discussed it with Zak Kirkup, who was the local Liberal MP at the time [2]. Hastie's primary concern, he emphasized, was the state government's potential use of the Peel area as a dumping ground [2].