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An employee who had "managed to cope" for years following a stressful work event has lost his workers' compensation claim, after a tribunal found the "tipping point" for his psychological injury was a reasonable disciplinary process.

The Australian Federal Police detective claimed workers' compensation for an ailment caused by bullying, discrimination and assault, but after Comcare denied liability he sought a review of the decision.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal heard the employee, who was located at the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC), first noticed psychological symptoms in September 2016, following an incident with his team leader.

He claimed the team leader said to him in front of others, "This is how we do things at the airport", before grabbing him with force and dragging him into an office, where he demanded to see a work expenses document...