Leading workplace law firm Maurice Blackburn Lawyers today slammed the Morrison Government for prolonging the trauma of three women sexually harassed by former High Court Justice Dyson Heydon by dragging out their compensation claims.
The Morrison government has repeatedly delayed settlement talks since March, citing a range of different reasons. The latest settlement conference, scheduled for today, was cancelled by the government because it claimed that those required to approve any compensation package were unavailable.
One of Dyson Heydon's victims, his former Associate Alex Eggerking, has spoken publicly for the first time to condemn the Morrison government's repeated attempts to delay settlement:
"I felt gutted when my lawyers told me that the Commonwealth cancelled the settlement negotiation.
"Since the High Court's own investigation found that Dyson Heydon sexually harassed me and other women while we were his associates, I have gone above and beyond to provide the Commonwealth with evidence of the harm I've suffered because of the harassment.
"Every week this matter continues is an extra week I have to manage life with debilitating anxiety caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, where every step, every communication in this compensation process triggers my illness. Every week is an extra week I have no income as the precariousness of my mental health makes it too difficult for me to work. Every week is a week I am not able to direct my energies towards improving my mental health and moving beyond this chapter of my life.
"And what message does the Commonwealth's delay send to the community? To women? To victims of workplace sexual harassment? Is this what accountability looks like for wrongdoing by one of the country's most powerful men—wrongdoing that was found to have occurred by the High Court's own investigation, wrongdoing that the Commonwealth is not disputing?"
Lawyer for the three women, Maurice Blackburn National Employment Team Leader Josh Bornstein said Prime Minister Scott Morrison must take responsibility for prolonging the women's trauma.
"From the outset, I warned the federal government that delaying the process of resolving this matter would engender further harm to three women who all lost their legal careers as a result of the unlawful, predatory conduct of Dyson Heydon. The inaction of Attorney-General Michaelia Cash and Prime Minister Scott Morrison is prolonging the trauma. "
"We have provided the federal government with detailed medical and actuarial reports. Each of the women was required to undergo an independent medical examination as part of this process. They have each been confronted with the enormity of the damage that Heydon's conduct inflicted on their careers and wellbeing.
"When it comes to addressing the scourge of sexual harassment and gender discrimination, we see time and time again that the Morrison government favours performative gestures over decisive action. Senator Cash could, with a phone call, draw a line under the darkest chapter in the High Court's recent history, " Mr Bornstein said.
"No-one who has suffered trauma and loss like the women I represent deserves the added indignity of having their interests essentially ignored. We have attempted to meet with the Commonwealth on numerous occasions over the last 18 months; in good faith and at their own expense our clients have provided the Commonwealth with every detail imaginable in support of their claims; and on every occasion the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister failed to take the steps needed to even have the conversation."
Mr Bornstein called on both Mr Morrison and Ms Cash to personally intervene in the matter.
