Public Broadcaster Has Spent $1.1 Million Fighting Unfair Dismissal Claim With Former Journalist

ABC acting managing director maintained the position that the ABC did not terminate a casual employee’s contract unlawfully.

An employee walks past the logo of the ABC located at the main entrance to the ABC building located at Ultimo in Sydney, Australia, on June 5, 2019. AAP/David Gray

Australia’s national broadcaster has revealed the high-profile lawsuit with former journalist Antoinette Lattouf has cost taxpayers $1.1 million (US$700,000) in litigation.

At a Senate Estimates hearing on Feb. 25, representatives from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) were questioned about the broadcaster’s handling of an unlawful termination lawsuit launched by the Lebanese Australian journalist in 2024.