During the legal action against John Macgregor, there were several posts on the internet from premies, who appeared to be involved in the action, justifying it on the grounds that John's article had caused them serious real life problems. Here is an extract from one post from a premie that gives the flavor of the premies' grievance, and demonstrates that the action against John had nothing to do with the documents, and everything to do with revenge:-

"In an avalanche of malicious, libelous drivel published in newspapers around Australia in September 2002, Macgregor caused major problems for many of us. Employers changed their attitude towards staff who had taken their holidays to attend Amaroo. Businesses, IRCC included, were adversely affected as clients assumed that the proceeds of transactions were being misappropriated. "

Of course, if the article was libellous, why did no one sue John and the newspapers? As the later action showed, they weren't afraid to use the courts, and they weren't afraid to spend money. The only answer is that they knew they would lose, as the articles were true.