The $ 2.4M payout to Higgins was not processed according to the Legal Services Instructions that govern such payouts. These LSIs set out checks and balances that were not complied with. The mediation and the signing of the Deed of Settlement both took place on the same day. That is simply not possible if the LSI are followed.
An amount that large would have to be approved by the Dept head who, in turn, would have to run it past the Minister - Katy Gallagher.
Gallagher was/is a friend of David Sharaz. There is evidence before the court of discussions between the two conspiring on how to maximize political advantage leading to the election.
The payout should be seen for what it clearly is - a payoff by Labor -using our money- for services rendered. The National Anti-Corruption Commission must investigate the roles of Labor members - including Albanese, Gallagher, Dreyfus and Wong, in this tawdry affair.
