Govt minister ends defamation case against Australian broadcaster

A file photo taken on March 3, 2021 shows Australia's former attorney general Christian Porter speaking during a press conference in Perth, after he outed himself as the unnamed cabinet minister accused of rape. Porter on May 31, 2021 dropped a defamation suit against public broadcaster ABC over its publication of rape allegations that sparked nationwide protests. (STEFAN GOSATTI / AFP)

CANBERRA – Australia's former Attorney-General (AG) has dropped his defamation case against national broadcaster the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

The ABC reported on Monday afternoon that Christian Porter decided to discontinue legal proceedings against the broadcaster and reporter Louise Milligan.

Following mediation between the two parties (the ABC and Christian Porter), the ABC agreed to add a note to the end of the article saying it "regretted" that some readers "misinterpreted" it "as an accusation of guilt against Mr Porter"

Porter, now the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, launched a defamation case against the ABC and Milligan after the broadcaster published allegations that a government minister had been accused of raping a woman in the 1980s.

The article did not name Porter but he later identified himself as the minister in question and strenuously denied the allegations.

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Speaking outside court on Monday, Porter said his decision to sue the broadcaster had led to "a humiliating back down."

"They regret the outcome of that article," he said.

"That is a humiliating back down for the ABC no matter what way they want to spin it."

Following mediation between the two parties, the ABC agreed to add a note to the end of the article saying it "regretted" that some readers "misinterpreted" it "as an accusation of guilt against Mr Porter."

"All parties have agreed to not pursue the matter any further. No damages will be paid," said ABC.

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"The ABC has not said that it regrets the article. As we have stated, the ABC stands by the importance of the article, which reported on matters of significant public interest," the broadcaster said in another statement following Porter's comments.