Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00409:clause:1_20
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2018C00409
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 1 cl 20
Character Range: 81098–81903

20  Expenditure is not to be approved to assist an employee to institute proceedings for defamation arising in the course of the performance of their duties (either for representation or the payment of legal costs). Similarly, assistance is not to be provided for any other action relating to alleged defamation, such as assistance to uphold a person's reputation, legally challenge comments damaging to a person's reputation, or in obtaining an apology (as distinct from a letter merely seeking to correct the record). The policy is the same even if the employee offers to pay to the Commonwealth any damages which they may receive. (Funding defamation proceedings could give rise to a public perception that the Government was seeking to prevent legitimate criticism.)

Who makes the decision to assist