Section 44(1) of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (Cth) bars all actions for damages 'in respect of an injury' sustained in the course of Commonwealth employment, including claims framed as breach of contract, not merely claims in tort. The exclusion from the definition of 'injury' for 'reasonable disciplinary action' in s 4 does not apply where the conduct complained of (harassment, bullying, abuse) is not itself reasonable disciplinary action. Where an employee disclaims permanent impairment, no election under s 45 is available and the statutory bar under s 44(1) continues to operate.
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