Ex-judge may lose honour
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison says sexual harassment allegations made against former High Court justice Dyson Heydon are “very disturbing and very concerning”.
Mr Morrison says there will be an investigation into whether Mr Heydon’s Companion of the Order of Australia should be revoked if the “incredibly serious” allegations are upheld.
“It’s not appropriate to presuppose those processes. That’s not the way these things should be handled,” he said yesterday.
“There should be a proper process to deal with this.
“They’re very serious allegations. They’re very concerning. And very disturbing. I would expect those processes to do their job.”
Labor is calling for Mr Heydon to be stripped of his honour after an independent inquiry found he sexually harassed six women.
Opposition frontbencher Bill Shorten also wants him to pay back the salary he earned from the royal commission into trade unions.
“Why does he get to keep his AC, and if the matter goes to court or there is further investigation, why does he get to keep all his taxpayer earnings from the royal commission?” Mr Shorten said.
“This is a time to strip him of all his recognition and get him sorted out.”
Mr Shorten was grilled at the 2014 royal commission and Mr Heydon later described him as an evasive witness.
The judge was appointed to the High Court by John Howard and chosen to head the royal commission by Tony Abbott.
Six former associates have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment.
Mr Heydon categorically denies the allegations.
“Our client says that if any conduct of his has caused offence, that result was inadvertent and unintended and he apologises for any offence caused,” he said through his lawyers.
Three of the women are seeking compensation.
Their lawyer, Josh Bornstein, from Maurice Blackburn, said the firm would first try to negotiate an outcome.
Chief Justice Susan Kiefel said she was ashamed the alleged harassment could have happened at the High Court.
“The findings are of extreme concern to me, my fellow justices, our chief executive and the staff of the court,” Justice Kiefel said.
The independent inquiry report prepared by former inspector-general of intelligence and security Vivienne Thom has been provided to the complainants and Mr Heydon.
The report makes six recommendations. These include establishing a human resources policy relevant to the personal staff of justices and better induction processes for associates.