VIC: I bear Barratt no ill will, says Howard

AAP General News (Australia)
08-20-1999
VIC: I bear Barratt no ill will, says Howard

MELBOURNE, Aug 20 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard said today he did not bear Defence
Department Secretary Paul Barratt any ill will, but would not comment on his future.

The Federal Court today ordered the Commonwealth to pay all legal costs sustained by Mr
Barratt in his challenge to the dismissal, after yesterday confirming the government was
entitled to remove him as long as it provided reasons for his dismissal.

Justice Peter Hely yesterday ruled Mr Barratt was entitled to be told the reason for his
proposed sacking and be given an opportunity to argue why he should not be removed.

Mr Barratt warned it would cost the federal government $1 million to sack him.

Mr Howard said he was not surprised by yesterday's court finding and the government would
follow the law of the country as declared by Justice Hely.

Mr Barratt had a right to take his case to court, but the situation had not been helped by
the deliberate courting of publicity, he said.

"I have nothing against him (Mr Barratt) personally, but I just think there has been a
little bit of embellishment at the edges as far as the character of the relationship is
concerned," Mr Howard said, referring to reports they had been close friends for 20 years.

"I can only repeat that I bear him no personal ill will or malice."

AAP st/ra/jm/de

KEYWORD: BARRATT HOWARD

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