Login
Dyson Heydon victims secure settlement
The victims of sexual harassment by former High Court justice Dyson Heydon have secured a six-figure compensation payout from the federal government.
Naomi Neilson
Attorney-General Michaelia Cash has confirmed that Rachel Patterson Collins, Chelsea Tabart and Alex Eggerking were awarded a secret compensation payout reported to exceed more than a million dollars. In making the announcement, Ms Cash said the government had listened to and apologised to all three women.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
“We recognise [their] bravery in coming forward and telling their stories to Dr Vivienne Thom AM, the High Court and other Australians. These women have told us what they have been through during the hearing, and since, their times as associates of the High Court and the serious impacts on their lives,” Ms Cash said.
Maurice Blackburn workplace lawyer Josh Bornstein, who represented the women, said in a tweet that he was “exceedingly proud, chuffed and stoked” about the result.
In June 2020, the High Court confirmed that an independent inquiry headed up by Dr Thom found justice Heydon had sexually harassed six women while they worked as judges’ associates. In a statement, Chief Justice Susan Kiefel AC said the findings were of “extreme concern” and was “ashamed this could have happened”.
The Commonwealth engaged in “good faith” discussions with the three women to resolve their claims. Ms Cash said their claims were taken “very seriously”.
