Joe Hockey claims an article caused his family great distress , describing the moment his 'elderly and frail ' father broke down in tears whilst speaking at a court appearance . The Liberal Politician told the Federal Court that he was 'devastated ' when he saw the headline 'Treasurer for Sale ' splashed across the front page of a major Fairfax newspaper . He said the headlines had caused his own family - including his elderly father - to question him . ' I was most concerned for my wife , and my children , and for my father , ' he told the court , glancing out to the body of the courtroom , where his wife Melissa Babbage sat staring straight ahead , her heels crossed . ' A few days later my daughter asked me whether someone was trying to buy me , ' Mr Hockey said . Scroll down for video . Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey ( right ) arrives at Federal Court with his wife Melissa Babbage ( left ) to give evidence in his defamation case against Fairfax Media . Sydney Morning Herald Editor in Chief Darren Goodsir outside the Federal Court at Joe Hockey's defamation case against Fairfax Media . Joe Hockey , pictured with his family , claimed his young daughter asked him 'whether someone was trying to buy me ' 'The only thing you walk out of politics with is your reputation , ' he continued . 'If , in the eyes of your own family , as there was in the phone call with my father , there 's a doubt - a brief doubt - then what have you got ? ' 'He broke down in tears when I called him , ' Mr Hockey claimed . Mr Hockey entered the witness box in Sydney on Monday afternoon to testify in his high-profile defamation suit against the publishing giant . The court action centres on stories run in Fairfax Media 's flagship newspapers The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last year under the headline 'Treasurer for Sale ' . The Canberra Times used another headline . The stories examined a political fundraising body in Mr Hockey 's electorate known as the North Sydney Forum , where members who paid an annual fee were able to meet with the treasurer at special events . Joe Hockey , pictured with his wife Melissa Babbage , revealed the distress an article caused his family whilst appearing in court on Monday . Mr Hockey has told the court he first became aware of the articles when he received a phone call from his press secretary shortly after midnight on May 5 , 2014 . When he awoke a few hours later he headed straight for his local newsagency in Canberra . ' I saw the front pages , I was stunned . And Matt the newsagent said , 'What 's all this about ? ' I just shook my head , ' Mr Hockey said . ' I went across to the bakery for one of their very ordinary cups of coffee and looked around , and the papers were everywhere . ' Under questioning by his barrister Bruce McClintock SC , Mr Hockey said he felt 'absolutely devastated ' at the suggestion he was corrupt . Earlier on Monday Mr Hockey 's lawyers alleged that Fairfax published 'scurrilous and false allegations ' against the treasurer in an act of petty spite . Mr Hockey 's lawyers alleged that Fairfax published 'scurrilous and false allegations ' against the treasurer in an act of petty spite . Mr Hockey , pictured with his wife Melissa Babbage ( left ) outside the Federal Court on Monday , said the headlines had caused his own family - including his elderly father - to question him . Matthew Collins QC , for Fairfax , questioned Mr Hockey about a number of critical public comments he made on Twitter and elsewhere about political opponents including former Labor prime ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd , as well as Opposition Leader Bill Shorten . The court heard one tweet published on Mr Hockey 's official account read : 'Access to Rudd , at a price ... FACT ' . 'Do you consider it part of the rough and tumble of political life to call your opponents hypocrites , ' Dr Collins asked . 'As they do me , ' Mr Hockey replied . Mr Hockey said he did not intend for the North Sydney Forum to be a fundraising vehicle for his re-election campaign and he did not have a hands-on role in setting up the organisation . 'The organisation 's purpose was to establish a business networking forum , ' he said . Shown a passage from the North Sydney Forum 's website , which stated the Forum was 'vitally important to Joe 's ongoing success and the development of effective Coaltion ( sic ) policy ' , Mr Hockey said : 'They 've overplayed it . Massively overplayed it . ' ' I was n't intimately involved in the activities of the North Sydney Forum , ' he added . The court action centres on stories run in Fairfax Media 's flagship newspapers The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age last year under the headline 'Treasurer for Sale '
Joe Hockey has testified as part of defamation suit against Fairfax ##water . He appeared at the criminal tribunal on Monday and claimed that the article caused his family great distress , even making his elderly father cry . The court also centres on websites run by Fairfax Media under the headline ' tickets for sale ' Mr Hockey claims that there was a ' clear allegation of corruption ' within the North Sydney party , a political fundraising party in his electorate .