The Attorney-General s decision to intervene in a High Court battle over casuals backpay is expected to cost taxpayers $295,860. In May last year, the full Federal Court rejected the bid from labour hire firm WorkPac to have a former employee, Robert Rossato, declared a casual employee and not entitled to paid leave. The ruling meant workers on regular casual shifts would be entitled to seek paid leave. Attorney-General Christian Porter applied to intervene in the case after the company appealed to the High Court to clarify what casuals should be paid and how offset arrangements should work. Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt said it was unbelievable the federal government was using taxpayer funds to help a labour hire company.
Dawson MP George Christensen could walk away from politics with a six-figure taxpayer-funded payout if his request to be disendorsed from the Liberal National Party is approved. Last month, the maverick MP revealed the time was right to announce he would not recontest his seat at the upcoming election. The News Corp publication reported Mr Christensen had since failed to withdraw his nomination and his local branch had requested LNP headquarters overturn its candidate approval and formally reject his nomination to stand at the next election. If the party disendorses the Dawson MP, he could be eligible for a resettlement allowance involving a taxpayer-funded payment of $105,600, or six-months salary.