Post by Earl Grey on Oct 3, 2012 13:00:34 GMT 11
Will there be a love-in? 
Slipper, Ashby mediation talks under way
October 3, 2012 - 11:50AM
Mediation talks between Speaker Peter Slipper and his former staffer James Ashby are understood to have begun at the Federal Court in Sydney.
Mr Ashby, who was dressed in a grey suit, was accompanied by his barrister, Michael Lee, SC, public relations adviser Anthony McClellan and solicitor Michael Harmer.
Justice Steven Rares yesterday directed the pair to mediate "face to face" in an effort to resolve Mr Ashby's sexual harassment case against Mr Slipper.
Mr Ashby did not make any comment as he entered the Law Courts building.
The group entered a mediation room, which is not open to the media or the public.
A spokesman for the Federal Court said Mr Slipper is inside the mediation room and talks have begun.
Mr Slipper was not seen entering the building. He avoided the media scrum outside the court by entering the building via the car park. ComCars are allowed to use the car park, court security officers said.
AAP reports: A "person of authority" from the Commonwealth is also taking part in the mediation process after it failed to finalise its settlement with Mr Ashby.
Last week, the federal government announced it had settled its case with Mr Ashby for $50,000 and a pledge to provide training for MPs and parliamentary staff to prevent sexual harassment, but the settlement hit some difficulties.
As well as the original sexual harassment case and the Commonwealth settlement, the parties will also negotiate on Mr Slipper's application to throw out the case as an abuse of process.
If the parties fail to reach a settlement, the matter will return to the Federal Court tomorrow.
Read more: www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/slipper-ashby-mediation-talks-under-way-20121003-26yc7.html#ixzz28CHfidLE
Slipper, Ashby mediation talks under way
October 3, 2012 - 11:50AM
Mediation talks between Speaker Peter Slipper and his former staffer James Ashby are understood to have begun at the Federal Court in Sydney.
Mr Ashby, who was dressed in a grey suit, was accompanied by his barrister, Michael Lee, SC, public relations adviser Anthony McClellan and solicitor Michael Harmer.
Justice Steven Rares yesterday directed the pair to mediate "face to face" in an effort to resolve Mr Ashby's sexual harassment case against Mr Slipper.
Mr Ashby did not make any comment as he entered the Law Courts building.
The group entered a mediation room, which is not open to the media or the public.
A spokesman for the Federal Court said Mr Slipper is inside the mediation room and talks have begun.
Mr Slipper was not seen entering the building. He avoided the media scrum outside the court by entering the building via the car park. ComCars are allowed to use the car park, court security officers said.
AAP reports: A "person of authority" from the Commonwealth is also taking part in the mediation process after it failed to finalise its settlement with Mr Ashby.
Last week, the federal government announced it had settled its case with Mr Ashby for $50,000 and a pledge to provide training for MPs and parliamentary staff to prevent sexual harassment, but the settlement hit some difficulties.
As well as the original sexual harassment case and the Commonwealth settlement, the parties will also negotiate on Mr Slipper's application to throw out the case as an abuse of process.
If the parties fail to reach a settlement, the matter will return to the Federal Court tomorrow.
Read more: www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/slipper-ashby-mediation-talks-under-way-20121003-26yc7.html#ixzz28CHfidLE
