This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/12/peter-slipper-legal-costs-government

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Government to cover Peter Slipper's legal costs Government to cover Peter Slipper's legal costs
(2 months later)
Former Speaker Peter Slipper will have his legal costs in a controversial sexual harassment case covered by the government if the federal court changes its current ruling that they should be paid by the complainant, Slipper’s former staffer James Ashby.Former Speaker Peter Slipper will have his legal costs in a controversial sexual harassment case covered by the government if the federal court changes its current ruling that they should be paid by the complainant, Slipper’s former staffer James Ashby.
Acting special minister of state Gary Gray said the “act of grace” decision would only cover any net amount owed by Slipper and he was “optimistic” that the commonwealth would not, in the end, have to pay anything.Acting special minister of state Gary Gray said the “act of grace” decision would only cover any net amount owed by Slipper and he was “optimistic” that the commonwealth would not, in the end, have to pay anything.
In February, the government announced it was changing regulations so all federal politicians – and not just ministers and parliamentary secretaries – would have their legal costs covered in workplace legal actions from 1 July.In February, the government announced it was changing regulations so all federal politicians – and not just ministers and parliamentary secretaries – would have their legal costs covered in workplace legal actions from 1 July.
Labor backbenchers had been worried Slipper had been left to pay his own costs in the sexual harassment claim brought by his staffer.Labor backbenchers had been worried Slipper had been left to pay his own costs in the sexual harassment claim brought by his staffer.
Because the new rules took effect after Slipper’s case, Gray announced on Friday: “I have decided that it is appropriate to use the act of grace mechanism in the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to cover this gap in insurance coverage.”Because the new rules took effect after Slipper’s case, Gray announced on Friday: “I have decided that it is appropriate to use the act of grace mechanism in the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 to cover this gap in insurance coverage.”
Justice Rares handed down his judgment on the case late last year. He found the proceedings brought by Ashby had been used to “pursue a political attack against Mr Slipper and not to vindicate any legal claim’” and “for the predominant purpose of causing significant public, reputational and political damage to Mr Slipper”.Justice Rares handed down his judgment on the case late last year. He found the proceedings brought by Ashby had been used to “pursue a political attack against Mr Slipper and not to vindicate any legal claim’” and “for the predominant purpose of causing significant public, reputational and political damage to Mr Slipper”.
He described them as “an abuse of the process of the court”, criticised Ashby’s lawyer Michael Harmer for failing in his professional obligations to the court, and dismissed the proceedings.He described them as “an abuse of the process of the court”, criticised Ashby’s lawyer Michael Harmer for failing in his professional obligations to the court, and dismissed the proceedings.
Gray said he was “an optimist that the judgment made by Justice Rares is soundly based, was carefully considered, took into account all of the factors that bear on this matter and finds that the actions to date have been entirely politically motivated”. He added: “Should that decision be upheld then I wouldn't expect the commonwealth to be exposed to any costs at all.”Gray said he was “an optimist that the judgment made by Justice Rares is soundly based, was carefully considered, took into account all of the factors that bear on this matter and finds that the actions to date have been entirely politically motivated”. He added: “Should that decision be upheld then I wouldn't expect the commonwealth to be exposed to any costs at all.”
Gray said the government needed to guard against “politically-motivated litigation [that] has the potential to improperly influence the work of MPs and senators and the parliament”.Gray said the government needed to guard against “politically-motivated litigation [that] has the potential to improperly influence the work of MPs and senators and the parliament”.
He said: “It is clear that costly lawsuits against MPs and Senators which are politically-motivated and malicious in their intent have a potentially corrosive effect on our democracy.”He said: “It is clear that costly lawsuits against MPs and Senators which are politically-motivated and malicious in their intent have a potentially corrosive effect on our democracy.”
He said he had Slipper’s permission to comment on the act of grace decision. Slipper is now being sued by his own solicitors, who claim he owes them money for unpaid legal fees.He said he had Slipper’s permission to comment on the act of grace decision. Slipper is now being sued by his own solicitors, who claim he owes them money for unpaid legal fees.
Ashby and Harmer are appealing against the judgment and deny any wrongdoing. The Coalition pointed out that last April former attorney general Nicola Roxon had said the commonwealth would not be paying any of Slipper’s costs because the rules at that time only permitted payment of legal expenses for ministers and parliamentary secretaries.Ashby and Harmer are appealing against the judgment and deny any wrongdoing. The Coalition pointed out that last April former attorney general Nicola Roxon had said the commonwealth would not be paying any of Slipper’s costs because the rules at that time only permitted payment of legal expenses for ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
Slipper resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives after sexually explicit text messages came to light.Slipper resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives after sexually explicit text messages came to light.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.