ABC facing defamation case over pokies allegations

ClubsNSW has launched defamation action against the ABC after comments broadcast on 7:30, and ABC Radio, by former Labor Minister Peter Garrett.

The allegations were part of the upcoming documentary Ka-Ching! Pokie Nation.

Garrett alleged that he was offered an envelope full of cash by ClubsNSW at a 2004 political function, as published in his book Big Blue Sky.

But Garrett later retracted the allegations, claiming he had incorrectly remembered the facts; that the event occurred before, not after, he was elected; and that the envelope contained a cheque, not cash. His book now includes a corrective slip.

ABC included the retraction in their reports.

But Clubs NSW chief Anthony Ball said, “The fact is that Clubs NSW didn’t make or offer to make a contribution to Peter Garrett or his electorate council.”

“There was no cash, no cheque, no EFT transfer. We never gave or offered him a red cent.

“The ABC was well aware that Mr Garrett had a confused recollection of events and that Clubs NSW had denied Mr Garrett’s original and revised recollection when it decided to proceed with this story.”

The ABC has declined to comment.

Source: News Corp, Fairfax