Gaisford Settlement

Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

There have been a number of gross inaccuracies in recent reporting on
the dispute between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Alastair
Gaisford.

The terms of settlement of the dispute are confidential, in accordance
with accepted practice.� The Department
respects the confidentiality of the settlement, but feels compelled to correct
two key factual errors in recent reporting on this matter:

Firstly, speculation about the cost to the taxpayer of the legal
proceedings is wildly inaccurate.

Secondly, it is not correct that Mr Gaisford had on two previous
occasions offered to settle the case with the Department.

The Department has acted responsibly and in the taxpayer's interest in
resolving the dispute through mediation.

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