Journalist Antoinette Lattouf’s wrongful dismissal claim against the ABC took a dramatic new turn on Monday when her lawyers argued that former chairwoman Ita Buttrose and chief executive David Anderson were key “decision makers” in her dismissal.
Lattouf was hired by the ABC for a locum position on the Sydney morning radio show between December 18 and 22, 2023.
But she was fired three days into the contract after sharing a Human Rights Watch post on her Instagram page alleging that the Israeli government used starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza.
He subsequently brought unfair dismissal claims against the national broadcaster in the Federal Court and the Fair Work Commission.
On Monday, his attorney Philip Boncardo said Buttrose and Anderson were involved in Lattouf’s Dec. 20 firing.
“We maintain that Ms Buttrose, chair of ABC, and Mr Anderson, chief executive, were themselves decision-makers or materially involved in the decision-making process,” he told the Federal Court.
“It is likely that at least eight, if not all, of the defendant’s witnesses will be required for cross-examination.”
Chris Oliver-Taylor, ABC’s chief content officer, was named the lead decision-maker in Lattouf’s dismissal.
Journalist Antoinette Lattouf’s (pictured) wrongful dismissal lawsuit against ABC took a dramatic new turn on Monday
Its updated statement of claim, which was filed last week, said it opposed “the Israeli military campaign in Gaza,” supported Palestinian human rights and questioned “the authenticity of images of protesters chanting anti-Semitic slogans at the Opera House.” Sydney” in November 2023, the Australian reported.
The lawsuit claims that on Dec. 20, Oliver-Taylor sent a text message to Anderson saying that Lattouf “has violated our editorial policies while in our employment” and that he “had no choice but to leave her out.”
Oliver-Taylor said she had not followed her producer’s instructions not to post anything online while working at the ABC.
In a phone call with Oliver-Taylor, Anderson allegedly agreed to Lattouf’s contract being terminated prematurely.
The decision to hire Lattouf in the first place sparked complaints to ABC’s board, including its then-chairwoman, Ms. Buttrose.
Lattouf previously alleged that ABC violated its own enterprise agreement and fair work laws by terminating her contract when she had not engaged in misconduct.
He claimed that an ABC manager told him that the station had received “a large number of complaints from pro-Israel lobbyists” about his on-air presence before his dismissal.
He said he was advised to “keep a low profile on Twitter” but could post information from reputable sources such as Amnesty International.
The court heard former ABC chairman Ita Buttrose (pictured) and chief executive David Anderson were key “decision makers” in Lattouf’s dismissal.
Previous attempts by the ABC to argue that Lattouf was not “dismissed” within the meaning of the relevant law because she was on a casual contract were dismissed by the Fair Work Commission.
The case then went to the Federal Court.
Both sides made settlement offers, but each was rejected by the other side.
ABC rejected Lattouf’s recent settlement request for $85,000 compensation, a public apology and her reinstatement as a fill-in radio host.
Lattouf rejected the national broadcaster’s counteroffer, the terms of which were not disclosed.
The trial will begin on February 3 and will last five days.
Then there will be two more days for presentations, February 27 and 28.