Haneef to receive substantial payout

An Indian doctor wrongly held in custody over terrorism allegations will receive a
"substantial" and confidential payout from the federal government.
Dr Mohamed Haneef returned to Australia last week to seek compensation after he was
wrongfully accused of terrorist links and held in prison in July 2007.
The compensation claim, described by his lawyers as unique in Australian legal
history, also sought damages for lost earnings, the interruption to his medical
career, damage to his reputation and emotional stress.
Dr Haneef was taken into custody and charged with recklessly giving support to a
terrorist organisation when his mobile phone SIM card was linked to an attack in
Britain in 2007.
The charges were later dropped as prosecutors admitted bungling the case, and an
independent inquiry cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Dr Haneef and his lawyers completed two days of talks with the commonwealth
government in Brisbane on Tuesday that will see legal action against former
immigration minister Kevin Andrews dropped.
"Part of the agreement is that the parties not discuss the details of the
settlement," Dr Haneef's lawyer Rod Hodgson told reporters as he left the meeting
with the Indian-born doctor.
"Although I can say that Dr Haneef will receive a substantial compensation."
Dr Haneef said he looked forward to putting the past behind him now, and possibly
returning to his old workplace, the Gold Coast Hospital.
"I'm very pleased and happy with the resolution of this matter," he told reporters
with his wife and three-year-old daughter behind him.
"My wrongful arrest and detention in 2007 was a very traumatic experience and
today's settlement is a chance to end that part of my life and move on with my
family."
He said the outcome would help him re-establish his career and reputation.
"My family and I are enjoying our visit in Australia, especially seeing our dear
friends here, and we look forward to possibly returning to Australia one day."
Dr Haneef thanked his friends and supporters in Australia and India who had been a
"great source of strength" throughout the ordeal.
The mediation process, held on Monday and Tuesday, was chaired by former judge Tony
Fitzgerald QC.
Dr Haneef, who has said he harbours no ill will over the episode, will now finish a
10-day holiday in Australia by visiting friends and sightseeing on the Gold Coast
with his wife and daughter.
He has been working in the United Arab Emirates as a GP at a private practice.
But he said he will consider reapplying for his old job with Queensland Health on
the Gold Coast where he was studying to become a specialist GP.
"It certainly will take some time to get on track to get out to Australia," he said.
"I need to get my registration sorted and other things and I need to discuss this
with my family."
But he said he hoped it might be less than a year before he could call Australia
home again.
Mr Hodgson said the decision recognised the injustice suffered by an innocent man.
"The mediation closes the book on an incident that was a stain on Australia's
reputation as a fair place to work and live," he said.
He thanked the current Labor government - which was not in power when the events
occurred and afterwards instigated the Clarke inquiry that cleared Dr Haneef.