The Northern Territory Government has reached a “confidential settlement” with its Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker over an employment dispute. Rewind… Chalker received a letter from Chief Minister Natasha Fyles on 31 March accusing him of making unauthorised requests for federal assistance to help rein in crime in Alice Springs – something reports say was untrue. The letter also asked Chalker to resign from his role, but with 6 months left on his contract he launched legal action. It was due to go to the Supreme Court in June, but yesterday’s settlement means that Chalker will retire from the job immediately.

And while we’re on legal matters… We previewed this on Friday, and the Federal Court granted former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann permission to launch defamation proceedings against news outlets Network Ten/News Corp and journalists Lisa Wilkinson/Samantha Maiden. The trial’s been scheduled for November.