AG Christian Porter sues ABC and Louise Milligan for defamation
March 15, 2021 12:53
Christian Porter, the Attorney-General alleged of a historical rape, has commenced defamation proceedings in the Federal Court against the ABC and its reporter, Louise Milligan.
The article, published on 26 February, did not identify Porter, but referred to the complainant, who took her own life last year, making the allegation against a “senior minister”.
Five days later, on 3 March, Porter identified himself as the minister in question at a media conference and strenuously denied the allegation.
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The Attorney-General is now seeking to have the article taken down, in addition to damages and aggravated damages. In his statement of claim, Porter alleges the article implies he “brutally raped a 16-year-old girl in 1988”, which “contributed to her taking her own life”.