Christian Porter Discontinues ABC Defamation Case, And Won’t Be Paid A Cent In Damages
"I stand by my journalism & proud to work @4corners & grateful to the ABC & our brilliant legal team for supporting public interest journalism," journalist Louise Milligan said.
Former Attorney-General Christian Porter has discontinued a defamation case against the ABC over historical sexual assault allegations, agreeing on a settlement out-of-court.
Content Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault and suicide.
In a statement, the ABC said that both parties agreed to not pursue the matter further. The national broadcaster will not have to pay damages or issue an apology, but will pay mediation costs.
“The ABC stands by the importance of the article, which reported on matters of significant public interest, and the article remains online,” the statement read.
Christian Porter has discontinued his case. The ABC will pay him no damages. I stand by my journalism & proud to work @4corners & grateful to the ABC & our brilliant legal team for supporting public interest journalism. Thanks, everyone, for your support. https://t.co/1l0h3SjlAQ
— Louise Milligan (@Milliganreports) May 31, 2021
Mr Porter proposed a settlement first.
— Louise Milligan (@Milliganreports) May 31, 2021
The story has since been updated with an editor’s note that states the “ABC did not intend to suggest that Mr Porter had committed the criminal offences alleged.”
“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 regrettable,” the editor’s note stated.
Just a reminder, Christian Porter is suing a journalist for merely reporting the existence of a rape allegation against him.
Not because she lied.
Not because she said he did it.But because she reported the fact the allegation existed.
The law needs to change.
— Carrick Ryan (@realCarrickRyan) May 26, 2021
Investigative journalist Louise Milligan had reported for Four Corners in February a story about a rape allegation of a minor in 1998, by a now-serving Cabinet Minister. Porter was not named in the article or broadcast.
So now Christian Porter is a cabinet member accused of the rape of a 16yo and has withdrawn a defamation lawsuit to avoid the public airing of the ABCs defence. He can not defend himself. He must go.
— Mike 🐀 (@weme_l) May 31, 2021
He identified himself as the person alleged in Milligan’s coverage on March 3 while vehemently denying the claims, then was demoted from his Cabinet position on March 29.
The woman at the centre of the story was 16-years-old at the time, and sadly committed suicide last year.
Australia is known as the defamation capital of the world — a title that proved damning during the #MeToo movement.
You can read the original article here.
Christian Porter has withdrawn his defamation case against Louise Milligan & the ABC. Cop that ya bastard. Ian
— 🕯IanGraves We’re first in the queue,the far queue (@xskinn) May 31, 2021