'I paid a price' for Fairfax case: Hockey

Treasurer Joe Hockey admits he "paid a price" for his defamation case against Fairfax, but says the legal battle will end up costing the publishers about $1.5 million.

Mr Hockey, who was awarded $200,000 for defamation last month over the words "Treasurer for Sale" on a promotional poster and two tweets, will have to pay 85 per cent of his legal costs.

"Even though I paid a price, if I was a shareholder of Fairfax Media writing out a cheque for $1.5 million ... I wouldn't consider that a win at all," Mr Hockey told reporters in Sydney.

"Only Fairfax Media could consider a finding of malice by the Federal Court as a win and writing out a cheque of $1.5 million of shareholders' money a win.

"It's not a win in my book."

When asked how much he would be out of pocket, Mr Hockey said: "We will wait and see. Someone has to stand up for what is right and I will do it. I will not be bullied by anyone."

When probed further on his legal bills, Mr Hockey directed the media to ask questions about the economy.

Fairfax has said it had supported the costs judgement made on Wednesday afternoon in the Federal Court.

"The costs judgment is a fair reflection of the outcome of the proceedings where Mr Hockey failed on all of the matters which were the real core of his claim," a Fairfax spokesperson said on Wednesday night.