ASIC response, page-4

Also, while I admit I don't know much about the law (certainly not in the area of libel/slander), I do find it hard to see how the statement "raising concerns about potential market manipulation" could qualify as defamation. If I were to say, "I'm not sure, but I suspect X has been manipulating the market, and I'd like you, the regulator, to look into it", I would be making a statement that accords with ASIC's rephrasing. But I would have thought that the qualifications prevent it from being libelous. I also don't see how Gallea's statement differs wildly from the AFR's statements, which have already been made (very much) in public. Like I said, I admit that in this area I'm 99% ignorant. But I'd be surprised if this qualified as defamation (albeit not so surprised that I might die).