Leaked emails tell DIBP staff not to use the word 'sympathise' in their letters. 

DIBP staff have been told not to use the word "sympathise" in correspondence from ministers, in a directive passed on by senior bureaucrats last month, reports the ABC.

The ABC has revealed that it has received a DIBP internal email which instruct DIBP staff to use the word 'acknowledge' instead of 'sympathise' in their correspondence.

The leaked email which originated from the department's Correspondence, Liaison and Secretariat Support Section, was sent as a "matter of urgency" to the staff.

The ABC reports that the email also instructed staff drafting ministerial replies that correspondence "should not appear to endorse the policies from the previous government" in an underlined and bold type and states "The Ministers are seeking generally a more facilitative tone, where possible…"

The email warned staff to "be mindful that while conveying empathy don't make the tone emotional e.g. instead of 'sympathise' use 'acknowledge'".

The ABC reports that the staff affected by the 'directive' would likely be officers preparing correspondence from the offices of both Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Michaelia Cash.