A smart decision

John Hartevelt at Stuff reports:

ACC Minister Judith Collins will continue defamation action against two Labour MPs and Radio NZ – but she will not use taxpayer cash to fund it.

Collins this afternoon said the alleged defamation against her last week had occurred in relation to her carrying out duties as Minister for ACC.

She wrote to Labour MPs Andrew Little and Trevor Mallard threatening legal action, but they had not responded.

“Even though I am fully entitled to do so, I have not asked Cabinet for funding,” Collins said.

“I trust that Mr Mallard and Mr Little are prepared to fund their own defence.”

Both MPs have indicated they would pay for their own defence in any legal proceedings.

Collins said Radio NZ had responded to her letter last week but they too still faced legal action.

“There would be no cost and no case to answer if Mr Mallard, Mr Little and Radio New Zealand told the truth and presented their evidence,” Collins said.

If there was any evidence I suspect we would have seen it by now.

A very smart decision not to obtain crown funding. All the focus would have gone onto that issue, rather than the merits of the case.

Also in such tight fiscal times, the Government would face questions about how it can afford to fund a lawsuit, but not xxxxx.