A WOMAN who published defamatory claims about Local Redland Bayside News group editor Andrew Jefferson has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount in damages and issued a public apology under the terms of the legal settlement.
The dispute arose from a comment published by Thea Hunter in the Redlands Coast Conversations Facebook group on January 24, 2026.
Mr Jefferson’s lawyers alleged the comment contained false and damaging claims about his professional conduct, ethics and suitability to continue working as a journalist.
A concerns notice issued under Queensland’s Defamation Act in March alleged the publication portrayed Mr Jefferson as incompetent, unethical, biased, dishonest and involved in illegal conduct.
Mr Jefferson maintained the allegations were false and indefensible and had caused serious harm to his personal and professional reputation.
Under the agreed settlement, Mrs Hunter will also publish a retraction and apology in the Redlands Coast Conversations Facebook group.
