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Clubs NSW says it will sue the ABC over Peter Garrett's cash in envelope claim Clubs NSW says it will sue the ABC over Peter Garrett's cash in envelope claim
(35 minutes later)
Clubs NSW says it has started defamation proceedings against the ABC for airing “utterly false” claims by the former Labor MP Peter Garrett that he was given an envelope full of cash by the clubs, a claim he subsequently retracted.Clubs NSW says it has started defamation proceedings against the ABC for airing “utterly false” claims by the former Labor MP Peter Garrett that he was given an envelope full of cash by the clubs, a claim he subsequently retracted.
Last week the ABC’s PM radio program and 7.30 TV program both aired a story on a new documentary about gambling in which Garrett made the sensational claims, saying he was offered an envelope containing “hundreds, if not thousands of dollars” by Clubs NSW.Last week the ABC’s PM radio program and 7.30 TV program both aired a story on a new documentary about gambling in which Garrett made the sensational claims, saying he was offered an envelope containing “hundreds, if not thousands of dollars” by Clubs NSW.
The host of 7.30, Leigh Sales, described the alleged event as a “possible bribery attempt”.The host of 7.30, Leigh Sales, described the alleged event as a “possible bribery attempt”.
But Garrett rowed back on the comments even before they were broadcast, saying he had remembered the incident wrongly.But Garrett rowed back on the comments even before they were broadcast, saying he had remembered the incident wrongly.
The documentary, Kaching! Pokie Nation, set to air next week on the ABC, has been edited to amend the claim. The allegation was also made in Garrett’s memoir, Big Blue Sky, but publishers Allen & Unwin have now included a correction slip.The documentary, Kaching! Pokie Nation, set to air next week on the ABC, has been edited to amend the claim. The allegation was also made in Garrett’s memoir, Big Blue Sky, but publishers Allen & Unwin have now included a correction slip.
Garrett said he made the claim in his book and repeated it in the documentary before realising he was mistaken.Garrett said he made the claim in his book and repeated it in the documentary before realising he was mistaken.
“I subsequently became aware, after checking with a person who was present when I was handed the envelope, that in fact it had contained a cheque made out to my federal electorate council. I immediately informed my publisher and the documentary producer of the error so it could be corrected – not because of any external pressure.”“I subsequently became aware, after checking with a person who was present when I was handed the envelope, that in fact it had contained a cheque made out to my federal electorate council. I immediately informed my publisher and the documentary producer of the error so it could be corrected – not because of any external pressure.”
On Thursday ClubsNSW announced it was taking legal action because the ABC had refused to issue a retraction and an apology.On Thursday ClubsNSW announced it was taking legal action because the ABC had refused to issue a retraction and an apology.
“We considered the initiation of legal proceedings very carefully before coming to this decision, and only decided to proceed once the ABC refused to issue a retraction or apology,” Clubs NSW’s chief executive, Anthony Ball, said.“We considered the initiation of legal proceedings very carefully before coming to this decision, and only decided to proceed once the ABC refused to issue a retraction or apology,” Clubs NSW’s chief executive, Anthony Ball, said.
“Peter Garrett has proven he either has an appalling memory or a penchant for making up stories, at the same time as his book goes on sale.“Peter Garrett has proven he either has an appalling memory or a penchant for making up stories, at the same time as his book goes on sale.
In an interview on the 7.30 program, the independent senator Andrew Wilkie said Garrett’s recanting of the story “beggars belief”.In an interview on the 7.30 program, the independent senator Andrew Wilkie said Garrett’s recanting of the story “beggars belief”.
“I mean, I can only speculate. Perhaps he’s concerned that he might be sued.”“I mean, I can only speculate. Perhaps he’s concerned that he might be sued.”
Related: Peter Garrett repeats attack on Kevin Rudd's 'megalomania' and 'vanity'Related: Peter Garrett repeats attack on Kevin Rudd's 'megalomania' and 'vanity'
Ball said the ABC was aware Garrett had admitted he was confused about the story but went ahead and broadcast it anyway.Ball said the ABC was aware Garrett had admitted he was confused about the story but went ahead and broadcast it anyway.
“The fact is that ClubsNSW did not make or offer to make a contribution to Mr Garrett or his electorate council.“The fact is that ClubsNSW did not make or offer to make a contribution to Mr Garrett or his electorate council.
“There was no cash, no cheque, no EFT transfer. Neither Mr Garrett nor the ABC have any evidence to the contrary because this alleged incident never happened.“There was no cash, no cheque, no EFT transfer. Neither Mr Garrett nor the ABC have any evidence to the contrary because this alleged incident never happened.
“ClubsNSW makes donations within the law and they are fully declared. Any suggestion to the contrary is defamatory.”“ClubsNSW makes donations within the law and they are fully declared. Any suggestion to the contrary is defamatory.”
Ball said legal action against Allen & Unwin was also under consideration.Ball said legal action against Allen & Unwin was also under consideration.
“ClubsNSW would also like to make it clear that there had been no contact between ClubsNSW and Mr Garrett between his original allegations and his retraction of them.”“ClubsNSW would also like to make it clear that there had been no contact between ClubsNSW and Mr Garrett between his original allegations and his retraction of them.”
A spokeswoman for the ABC said the ABC did not comment on legal matters. Both the PM and 7.30 stories remain online.A spokeswoman for the ABC said the ABC did not comment on legal matters. Both the PM and 7.30 stories remain online.
Peter Garrett’s office has been contacted, but has not responded.