Settlement offer accepted by Cornelia Rau's lawyers
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today confirmed that lawyers for Cornelia Rau had accepted an offer of settlement made by the Commonwealth last month to resolve Ms Rau’s compensation claim.
Senator Evans told the Senate Estimates Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs that he had made it a priority to move on the resolution of ‘legacy cases’ that had beset the Department of Immigration and Citizenship in the past.
'Obviously, one of those priorities was to finalise the case of Cornelia Rau and end the terrible ordeal that she has suffered,' Senator Evans said.
'In that context I can advise that Cornelia Rau’s lawyers have communicated to the Commonwealth that they have accepted an increased offer of compensation on her behalf.
'The terms of settlement remain to be finalised and must be approved by the Supreme Court.
'I have been advised therefore, that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the details of the settlement at this time.
'But I am hopeful of having that resolved in the next couple of weeks.'
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08016.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST