Antoinette Lattouf v ABC as it happened: Broadcaster’s head of audio ‘not satisfied’ former presenter breached policy as unlawful termination case continues
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of journalist Antoinette Lattouf’s unlawful termination case against the ABC.
I’m Michaela Whitbourn and I’ll be keeping you informed of the latest developments in the Federal Court in Sydney today.
Antoinette Lattouf arrives at the Federal Court in Sydney on Wednesday, flanked by her barristers Philip Boncardo (left) and Oshie Fagir (right).Credit: Kate Geraghty
If you’re just catching up on the trial now, here’s what you need to know: Lattouf was told not to return to work three days into a five-day casual contract as a fill-in Mornings presenter on ABC Radio Sydney in December 2023.
She alleges she was unlawfully terminated because of her political opinions about the Israel-Gaza war, which were not articulated on radio but on her social media accounts, as well as because of her race or national extraction as a woman of Lebanese and Arab and Middle Eastern descent.
The ABC took Lattouf off-air after she shared a post critical of Israel from non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch on Instagram on December 19, 2023. She added the words: “HRW reporting starvation as a tool of war.”
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She claims the ABC bowed to pressure from pro-Israel lobbyists in removing her from air. The broadcaster had received complaints about her appointment as a fill-in presenter even before the December 19 post, the court has heard.
Lattouf is seeking a range of orders from the Federal Court, including that the ABC pay her compensation and pecuniary penalties. She is also seeking declarations that the national broadcaster contravened the Fair Work Act by not complying with its enterprise agreement.
In addition, Lattouf has asked the court to make an order reinstating her “to a commensurate position to that from which the [ABC] dismissed her”, her lawyers say in court documents.
