THE NEWS WRAP: The Chaser boys and the ABC sued by Swisse over The Checkout

The father of Swisse chief executive Radek Sali has launched a defamation action following claims on ABC’s consumer affairs program The Checkout, claiming a recent episode ‘‘severely injured his reputation and standing’’. Presenters Craig Reucassel and Julian Morrow along with executive producer Nick Murray and the ABC are all named as defendants in the […]

Andrew Sadauskas 02 May, 2013

The father of Swisse chief executive Radek Sali has launched a defamation action following claims on ABC’s consumer affairs program The Checkout, claiming a recent episode ‘‘severely injured his reputation and standing’’.

Presenters Craig Reucassel and Julian Morrow along with executive producer Nick Murray and the ABC are all named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Avni Sali’s lawsuit centres around claims made during the episode broadcast March 21, which alleged the National Institute of Integrative Medicine he founded was not independent in conducting clinical tests of Swisse products.

“The program was meant and was understood to mean that the plaintiff performed clinical tests… and then manipulated the published results for the commercial benefit of Swisse,’’ Sali says.

Packer lieutenant John Alexander appointed to Seven West Media board

Seven West Media has announced it is appointing John Alexander, the former executive deputy chairman of James Packer’s Crown Casino empire, to its board of directors.

“We are delighted John has accepted the invitation to join the board of Seven West Media,” Seven West chairman Kerry Stokes states.

“His success in media and business speaks for itself. His appointment adds further depth to the board of our company as it continues to develop its businesses.”

Treasury looks at closing tax loopholes for digital services

The Treasury has released an issues paper examining the ways in which international online giants, including Google, Apple and Microsoft, minimise their tax bills by shifting profits from online services into low-tax jurisdictions.

“The global reach of multinational enterprises, along with the developments in information and communication technology…provides them with a high degree of flexibility in how to structure their affairs,” the paper states.

“These developments raise serious concerns about the efficiency, equity and sustainability of the income tax system.”

The paper also calls for submissions suggesting possible solutions to the erosion of tax revenues by international tech companies, along with further data that could assist the Australian Tax Office.