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Porter defamation case against ABC comes to an end
Former attorney-general Christian Porter’s defamation case against the ABC over an article that he alleged named him as the cabinet minister at the centre of historic rape allegations has come to an end following a major change to his legal team.
Naomi Neilson
A statement by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has confirmed that Christian Porter has decided to discontinue his defamation case against the national broadcaster and journalist Louise Milligan. The parties have agreed to not pursue the matter any further and Mr Porter will walk away without any damages paid to him.
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The ABC said that it stands by its reporting of the article, “which reported on matters of significant public interest” and by Ms Milligan. The article in question has been updated with an author’s note that clarifies the article was about a letter sent to the Prime Minister containing allegations against a senior cabinet minister.
“Although he was not named, the article was about the Attorney-General Christian Porter,” the new author’s note read.
“The ABC did not intend to suggest that Mr Porter had committed the criminal offences alleged. The ABC did not contend that the serious accusations could be substantiated to the applicable legal standard – criminal or civil. However, both parties accept that some readers misinterpreted the article as an accusation of guilt against Mr Porter.
“That reading, which was not intended by the ABC, is regretted.”
The ABC added that it stands by its investigative and public interest journalism, “which is always pursued in the interests of the Australian community”.
This follows a Federal Court decision to restrict Mr Porter’s defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou from representing him due to a potential breach of confidentiality. On the same day, the court granted permission for both parties to transfer unredacted submissions to a mediator.
