Cornelia Rau’s settlement offer finalised
Friday, 7 March 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today confirmed that the Commonwealth’s settlement offer for Cornelia Rau had been finalised.
Senator Evans said the New South Wales Supreme Court had approved the terms of settlement for Ms Rau’s compensation claim.
Under the terms of settlement, Ms Rau will receive $2.6 million in compensation. In addition, the Commonwealth will pay Ms Rau’s legal costs, which are still being determined.
Ms Rau was detained in immigration detention from 31 March 2004 to 3 February 2005, despite being an Australian permanent resident.
'This was obviously a terrible experience for Ms Rau and we hope this settlement will enable Ms Rau to finally move forward with her life,' Senator Evans said.
'The Rudd Government made a commitment to resolve Ms Rau's compensation claim as quickly as possible and we have honoured that commitment in just three months.
'The $2.6 million settlement is a substantial increase on the offer made by the previous government.'
The offer takes account of all the evidence presented on Ms Rau’s behalf and was made having regard to senior counsel's advice.
'The previous Howard Government let this situation drag on for way too long, leaving Ms Rau in limbo,' Senator Evans said.
'As Ms Rau herself commented last month: ‘My life has been on hold for the past three years.’
'Ms Rau’s protracted compensation claim is one of the many regrettable immigration legacies of the former Howard Government that we are committed to resolving.'
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08021.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST