News Corp has issued an apology to Victorian Liberal MP Sam Groth adn his wife, Alison, over claims published in The Australian newspaper regarding their personal relationship. The apology, delivered on November 17, 2025, follows threats of legal action from the couple concerning an article that alleged an inappropriate relationship.
The claims, which surfaced in late October 2025, prompted Groth to publicly deny the allegations and accuse the publication of a “vicious and baseless” attack. The incident raises questions about media standards and the potential for defamation in political reporting, particularly as Groth prepares to contest the seat of Nepean at the next state election. the apology aims to resolve the dispute and avoid a possibly damaging court case for both parties.
According to a statement released by News Corp Australia, the publisher “unreservedly” apologises to both Sam and Alison Groth for the publication of the article on October 28, 2025. The statement acknowledged the article contained “false and defamatory imputations” concerning their relationship.
“News Corp regrets the distress and embarrassment caused to Mr and mrs Groth and their family,” the apology read. “We have removed the article from our website and will take steps to ensure such errors are not repeated.”
Groth, elected to the Victorian parliament in 2022, representing the seat of Nepean, confirmed the apology in a social media post on November 17, 2025, stating he and his wife had accepted it.He reiterated the claims were entirely false and thanked his supporters for their unwavering support during the ordeal.
The initial article, penned by journalist Stephen Drill, reportedly relied on anonymous sources and contained allegations of an affair.Drill has not publicly commented on the apology. legal experts suggest the case highlights the high bar for defamation claims in Australia, requiring proof of publication, identification, defamation, and harm. The settlement amount, if any, remains confidential.
