Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has told his defamation hearing that the journalist and producer behind an ABC TV expose on the slaughter of retired racehorses were "running an activist agenda".
But he said he didn't think "they were out to get me", noting that he did not know the "two young ladies".
He was finishing up his evidence in the Federal Court on Wednesday at his lawsuit against the broadcaster over the October 2019 report dubbed The Final Race and aired on the 7.30 program.
The show featured graphic footage of retired racehorses being slaughtered at Queensland abattoir Meramist.
But Mr V'landys, whose sit-down interview was played in the program, says he was never shown the footage before or during the interview and was unaware it existed until after the report aired.
He also alleges the ABC failed to make clear he had no jurisdiction over Queensland and therefore caused his reputation as a regulator to be undermined and his reputation to be brought into public disrepute, ridicule and contempt.
The ABC is defending all claims and maintains copies of The Final Race on its website.
Under cross-examination from its barrister, Sandy Dawson SC, Mr V'landys agreed he repeatedly told the interviewer he was talking about NSW, couldn't speak for other states and had no jurisdiction over Queensland .
"You, time and time again, say 'I can only talk for NSW," Mr Dawson said.
"Correct," he replied.
"Why would you expect to be shown that (Meramist) vision in your interview?" Mr Dawson asked.
"I think if you showed it to other parties on that video, you should show it to all parties," he replied.
Mr V'landys said he wasn't accusing the interviewer and producer of being dishonest but did think "they were running an activist agenda".
The hearing continues before Justice Michael Wigney.
