ABC chair Ita Buttrose shuts down questions about Christian Porter

ABC chair Ita Buttrose has slapped down a reporter after being asked about the broadcaster’s legal battle with former AG Christian Porter.

ABC chair Ita Buttrose has shut down questions about Christian Porter’s defamation case against the national broadcaster.

The former attorney-general launched legal action in March against the ABC and its journalist Louise Milligan after an article claiming a “senior cabinet minister” had been accused of historical rape allegations was published online.

Buttrose, who was speaking about eye health at the National Press Club, was asked if the story could have been presented in a way that minimised the risk of taxpayer-funded legal action.

“You are not really serious about that question, are you?” Ms Buttrose said in response.

“You know the case is before the court and I have simply cannot comment one way or the other.”

Ita Buttrose discussed a vision for a healthy ageing in Australia at the National Press Club in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Mr Porter, who strongly rejects the allegations, outed himself as the accused minister in a public press conference before taking medical leave.

His lawyers claim that despite not being named, “the article made allegations against a senior cabinet minister and the attorney-general was easily identifiable to many Australians as the subject of the allegations”.

Buttrose was also asked to confirm the ABC had not made a settlement offer to Mr Porter, and explain why the ABC was entitled to fight the case to the end.

“I really don’t have a comment on this case. It is before the court,” she said.

“We did not instigate the litigation. We have filed our defence. And that is as much as I can tell you.”

Former attorney-general Christian Porter seen outside the Supreme Court in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

She also remained tight-lipped on a letter reportedly drafted to Communications Minister Paul Fletcher about political interference.

“The correspondence between the minister and myself is confidential, and the correspondence that goes on between the ABC and the government is usually confidential,” Ms Buttrose said.

“I did reply to Minister Fletcher’s letter and he, and the department, say they don’t wish to take the matter any further and that’s where it currently sits.”

Ms Buttrose said she was not expecting any cuts to the national broadcaster in next week’s federal budget on Tuesday.

However, she warned that may be different next year if Australia headed to the polls.