Peter Dutton’s defamation proceedings ‘cause for real concern’ Peter Dutton’s defamation proceedings ‘cause for real concern’ 28 April 2021 • By Naomi Neilson Share As part of the ongoing fallout from Parliament House’s recent onslaught of sexual harassment and assault allegations, federal Defence Minister Peter Dutton has launched defamation proceedings against a refugee advocate who took aim at “he said, she said” comments made by the minister after the Brittany Higgins’ reveal. Lawyers for advocate Shane Bazzi have indicated that they will “vigorously defend” their client for his “honest” opinion that Peter Dutton is a “rape apologist” following a number of publicly reported statements attributed to the minister. The firm said these comments would have “undoubtedly provoked a number of different opinions”.