Oh dear, looks like one lefty with a fertile imagination has got the lefty ALPBC into hot water.
Just shows what an incompetent moron Mark Scott. He should have had the story pulled as soon as Garrett became "confused' about the difference between cash and a cheque. Also helps understand why the pink batts fiasco happened. Couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery
Peter Garrett backs away from 'bribe' claim
Garrett stands by criticism of Kevin Rudd
Rudd hits back at claims he put Australia in danger
Clubs NSW has announced it will launch legal action against the ABC for airing claims by former Labor minister Peter Garrett that he was offered an envelope full of cash by a representative of the organisation.
The allegations - aired by the broadcaster last week - were set to feature in a documentary on poker machines before Mr Garrett later amended them.
Peter Garrett with Thomas Keneally at the launch of Garrett's book, Big Blue Sky.
Peter Garrett with Thomas Keneally at the launch of Garrett's book, Big Blue Sky. Photo: Janie Barrett
Clubs NSW will sue for "publication of utterly false claims" by Mr Garrett, who now says it was a cheque in the envelope rather than cash, and that it was given to him before he won a seat at the 2004 election, not after.
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"We considered the initiation of 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 CEO Anthony Ball said.
"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."
In his recently released memoir Big Blue Sky, Mr Garrett described how "the clubs were generous donors to candidates".
"In fact, a Clubs NSW representative had given me an envelope full of cash at an early meet-the-candidates event for NSW MPs. When I realised what it was, I gave it back."
Mr Garrett then issued a correction and requested that the claims be excluded from the documentary and book.
"This was my recollection at the time and I referred to it in a later interview for a documentary," he said in a statement.
"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."
He said he had never claimed it was a bribe.
Clubs NSW also said there had been "no contact" with Mr Garrett between the original and revised allegations.
Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman and public health expert Associate Professor Charles Livingstone said the clubs' decision would backfire by giving advocates the chance to find information through the 'legal discovery' process.
"Their entire 'books' will become Exhibit A," he said.
"By trying to sue the ABC, the clubs have put their own behaviour on trial, just days before the ABC screens a documentary which will no doubt affect the industry's standing with the public."
Dr Livingstone said even lawful donations were manipulating the system.
Clubs NSW is seeking further legal advice regarding Mr Garrett's book, published by Allen & Unwin, which includes the original allegation and a correction they believe to be "inadequate".
The ABC has declined to comment.
with Richard Willingham
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