An ABC report has revealed over $20 million in compensation payments have been provided by the federal government over the past decade, due to the provision of incorrect advice from public servants.
The payouts include a million-dollar payout to an agriculture company who were required to destroy tonnes of meat headed for export under faulty advice from the Australian Quarantine inspection service.
Former Commonwealth ombudsman John McMillan said the compensation scheme is well-intentioned but secretive, saying there is a strong public interest in knowing how government disputes are resolved.