AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2000
Federal Govt to to pay ministers legal bills
SYDNEY, April 24 AAP - The federal government will pay the legal costs of six ministers
facing actions against them, the Sydney Morning Herald reported today.
Ministers and ex-ministers involved in six other legal cases will also have their defence
costs met by the taxpayer.
The Herald says the cases involve legal actions brought against the ministers personally
or for decisions arising from their portfolios.
The federal government has already paid $36,360 for a case involving Deputy Prime Minister
John Anderson and another $18,360 for a matter involving Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock,
the Herald reported in a front page story.
Mr Ruddock was the most recent beneficiary of the scheme as he faces a defamation claim
by members of a Sydney law firm.
Other ministers named by the Herald as having successfully sought assistance include
Health Minister Dr Michael Wooldridge, Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith, Finance
Minister John Fahey and Attorney-General Daryl Williams.
Government ministers are eligible for assistance in legal cases if the matter arises
from duties within their portfolios.
AAP pwa/as
KEYWORD: LEGAL BILLS
2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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