A Melbourne couple have failed in an attempt to sue a former federal police commander after they claimed he maliciously defamed them in a press conference about an alleged multi-million dollar fraud.
Ola Ouda and Amgad Shehada alleged Todd Hunter identified them as two people charged with serious dishonesty offences during the press conference on November 28, 2020.
Mr Hunter told reporters the Australian Federal Police had arrested and charged a 42-year-old Doncaster East woman - the owner of a large Victorian family daycare provider - and her 47-year-old partner.
He alleged the pair had defrauded the Commonwealth of millions of dollars by registering "phantom children" for childcare subsidies, as well as claiming COVID-19 stimulus payments to which they were not entitled.
Mr Hunter told reporters the woman and man used taxpayers' money to "fund grand and luxurious lifestyles", saying they had gone on overseas trips and bought multiple expensive cars including a Maserati.
Mr Hunter did not name Ms Ouda or Mr Shehada in the press conference but media later reported their names and showed their images in their stories.
The couple were charged with the dishonesty offences on November 25, 2020, but the AFP dropped those offences 10 months later.
Ms Ouda and Mr Shehada launched defamation action against Mr Hunter, claiming in a Victorian Supreme Court jury trial he identified them in the press conference and he made the comments with malice.
The jury on Tuesday found Mr Hunter did not defame the pair.
Justice John Dixon dismissed the couple's case, given they were unable to prove it and ordered them to pay Mr Hunter's costs.
