COMRADE Gillard declared: case closed!
For some time there have been allegations circulating that when PM Julia was an employee of Slater and Gordon (17 years ago) she was involved in certain improprieties.
To put these matters to rest, the good comrade called a press conference where she feistily denied that she ever did anything wrong. At no time did she threaten a writ of defamation on those who were making the allegations.
Usually when a politician, and others, are faced with untoward allegations they quickly reach for a defamation writ to shut down the offending person(s). Not so in this instance.
Has Comrade Gillard set a precedent by calling a press conference to deny allegations instead of issuing a writ? A writ would mean she would have to prove, in open court, that the allegations are false and the accusers would be compelled to offer evidence to support their position.
The next time anyone is faced with defamatory allegations all they will have to do is call a press conference and deny the accusations and declare: case closed!
Jay Nauss, Glen Aplin