Vanessa Amorosi quizzed about her finances and memory in civil trial against her mother

Renowned Australian singer-songwriter Vanessa Amorosi found herself in the hot seat during her recent appearance at Victoria's Supreme Court. Amorosi, who is in a legal battle with her mother Joyleen Robinson over two properties, faced rigorous questioning from her mother's barrister, Daniel Harrison. The dispute revolves around her quest to become the sole owner of these properties, one in Melbourne's south-east and another in California.

Harrison suggested that Amorosi's motivations were financially driven, to which she vehemently disagreed. He raised questions about a statement she made to financial regulator ASIC when she closed her touring company, Roadrunner, in 2022. A declaration form indicated that Roadrunner had no legal disputes, even though it was involved in her ongoing lawsuit filed in 2021. An emotional Amorosi explained that the closure was due to her decision not to use the company.

The heart of the matter is the ownership of the contested properties, allegedly funded by Amorosi's earlier musical success with hits like "Absolutely Everybody" and "Shine." Currently, the Narre Warren property is evenly shared between Amorosi and her mother, while the California home is owned by a trust under her stepfather Peter Robinson's direction.

Amorosi was presented with documents spanning two decades, many of which she claimed not to remember. Harrison contended that her memory was lacking, a point Amorosi refuted. The central issue in this judge-only trial is whether a verbal agreement transpired in 2001 between Amorosi and her mother. Robinson stated that they had a deal in which she could buy the Narre Warren property from her daughter for $650,000 at any time.

Amorosi firmly denied these conversations took place and that she intended to gift the property to her mother. She described how her mother had ultimate control over her finances and trusts since a young age, which were used for property transactions.

The trial will continue next week, with Peter Robinson and two of Amorosi's childhood friends expected to provide their testimony. The legal battle promises to be an emotionally charged and complex affair with significant stakes involved.