POKER machine giant Clubs NSW has dropped legal action against Denison independent MHR Andrew Wilkie.
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The club had commenced proceedings for defamation, following comments by Mr Wilkie on an ABC program that it had attempted to bribe former Labor MP Peter Garrett.
Mr Wilkie was prepared to fight the gaming lobby in court on Friday, but the legal action was abandoned.
''There was never any basis for their intention to sue me for defamation in relation to my comments on the ABC about Peter Garrett being offered money by someone in the poker machine industry,'' Mr Wilkie said.
''That they slammed this action on me in the Supreme Court no less, without any warning or Notice of Concern, was a remarkable move and one which ultimately backfired.
''My legal counsel was always of the view that this was a complete beat-up so it’s unsurprising that the action has been abandoned by Clubs NSW at the very first hearing,'' he said