Nick Xenophon launches defamation action against Steven Marshall over claims of ‘deal’ to help Labor win election

NICK Xenophon has taken the first step in defamation action against Liberal leader Steven Marshall over claims of a “deal” to back Labor to retain government — but Mr Marshall isn’t backing down.

• Marshall accuses Xenophon of secret deal to hand Labor power

SA BEST Leader Nick Xenophon has taken the first step in defamation action against Liberal Leader Steven Marshall over claims he had “done a deal” to back Labor to retain government.

Mr Xenophon released a statement announcing he had issued a Concerns Notice to Mr Marshall, who now has 28 days to respond.

The action relates to comments made by the Opposition Leader on Monday and Tuesday “that I have done a deal to back the SA Labor government into office after the election” next month, Mr Xenophon said.

“Those statements are totally false and defamatory,” he said.

Mr Xenophon urged Mr Marshall to take the “opportunity to put the record straight and to apologise”.

Mr Xenophon said he had “sent the papers off to a barrister specialising in defamation work” on Tuesday.

“Accordingly, this morning I have issued a Concerns Notice to Mr Marshall, pursuant to the Defamation Act,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday morning.

Mr Marshall on Wednesday afternoon said he was yet to receive Mr Xenophon’s legal letter — but would not retract his comments.

South Australian Opposition Leader Stephen Marshall with SA Best leader Nick Xenophon at the SA Press Club leaders’ debate. Picture: AAP / Roy Vandervegt

“I stand by what I’ve said previously, I believe a deal has been done,” he said.

“There’ll be no apology from Steven Marshall.

“We’ll wait to have a look at what we receive. We’ll respond accordingly. I’m not going to be responding via the media.”

Mr Marshall said he was “convinced that (Mr Xenophon) has done a deal with Labor” because his SA Best Party was running candidates in 20 Liberal-held or notionally Liberal seats and Mr Xenophon had changed his position on certain policies to align with Labor.

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