Tennis great accused of giving false evidence in Mitchell trial

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This was published 4 years ago

Tennis great accused of giving false evidence in Mitchell trial

By Sarah Danckert

Federation Cup great Janet Young has been accused by lawyers for Harold Mitchell of giving false evidence in the trial against the famed adman who has been accused by the corporate watchdog of inappropriately favouring Seven West Media during the 2013 negotiations for the broadcast rights to the Australian Open.

In a heated cross examination at the Federal Court on Monday, Dr Young - who sat on the board of Tennis Australia alongside Mr Mitchell - denied she had made up her evidence due to "animus" towards Mr Mitchell.

Harold Mitchell is vigorously defending the case brought against him by the corporate regulator.

Harold Mitchell is vigorously defending the case brought against him by the corporate regulator. Credit: AAP

The accusation was made during the civil penalty proceedings launched by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) against Mr Mitchell and fellow former Tennis Australia director Steven Healy alleging they acted inappropriately by helping Seven to secure the tennis rights over other potential bidders.

During Monday's hearing, Dr Young - who won three tennis doubles titles alongside partner Evonne Goolagong Cawley - was challenged by Mr Mitchell's counsel Matthew Collins, QC, over what Dr Collins alleged were inconsistencies in her evidence.

"Mr Mitchell said to the board that he considered the current offer to be reasonable in the current economic environment but that he and (then Tennis Australia chief) Mr Wood would continue to work on the matter and come back to the board in due course?" Dr Collins asked.

Dr Young responded: "Yes."

Champions of 1974: Janet Young, Dianne (Fromholtz) Balestrat, manager Vic Edwards and Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

Champions of 1974: Janet Young, Dianne (Fromholtz) Balestrat, manager Vic Edwards and Evonne Goolagong Cawley.Credit: Tennis Australia

Dr Collins then took Dr Young to her witness statement where she had alleged Mr Mitchell had reminded the board to accept the offer at that meeting.

"I just want to suggest to you that that’s not quite right. That what happened was Mr Mitchell said he considered the offer was reasonable in the circumstances but that he and Mr Wood would continue to work on the matter and come back to the board in due course?"

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Dr Young replied simply: "No."

Dr Collins sought again to get Dr Young to agree that Mr Mitchell had not insisted Tennis Australia sign the Seven deal at the December board meeting but Dr Young stood firm.

"He recommended that we accept that offer, and Mr Healy suggested that that was a very low increase."

Dr Collins shot back accusing Dr Young of lying to the court.

"Dr Young, I suggest to you that that evidence is false, and as you sit in the witness box you very well know that that evidence is false."

Dr Young responded: "No".

Dr Collins then asked Dr Young: "You’ve given that false evidence because of animus that you hold towards Mr Mitchell?"

Again, Dr Young denied the allegation with a simple: "No".

ASIC is seeking fines and disqualification orders against Mr Mitchell and Mr Healy. Both are defending the case.

The case continues.

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