A Canberra man convicted of sending a string of letter bombs to public servants has won the right to pursue a compensation claim against his former employers for the third time.
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Colin George Dunstan, 55, won an appeal in the Federal Court this morning that could pave the way for him to claim worker's compensation payouts for years.
The court ordered Dunstan's claim against his former workplace, the Australian Taxation Office, should be heard in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for the third time.
Dunstan was jailed in December 2000 after posting letter bombs to 28 people, including former colleagues at the ATO.
One of the devices exploded at the Fyshwick mail centre, injuring a postal worker.
Dunstan was released from jail in 2008 and has pursued a worker's compensation claim against his former employers.
His lawyers have argued that Dunstan suffered depression and sexual harassment after having an affair with an ATO colleague.
In 2010 the tribunal awarded him a year's pay in compensation but did not allow any of his other claims.
This morning a full bench of the Federal Court found the tribunal had erred and Dunstan could make further claims against his former workplace.
It dismissed part of his appeal which related to a two-week period in May 1994.
Outside the court Dunstan said he was relieved at the judgement and would return to the tribunal seeking continuous compensation payouts from the ATO.