Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

As I was saying, on 14 November 2016 it was again explained to you at estimates, Senator Cameron, that Mr Hadgkiss filed his defence in the litigation. He denied, as you know, any contravention of the Fair Work Act. I subsequently approved financial assistance for his legal costs. Again, as you were made aware extensively at Senate estimates, this was consistent with appendix E to the CommonwealthLegal Services Directions and did not cover the penalty ordered against him. Under appendix E to the Legal Services Directions, assistance is not precluded to an official who acted negligently. The assistance I approved was consistent with the Federal Court's findings that he was careless but he did not intend to contravene 503(1) of the Fair Work Act.