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ARTICLE · 29 JUNE 2025

Federal Court rules on significant unlawful termination case

Gilchrist Connell
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A significant decision examining the protection from dismissal due to a person's political opinion.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Joel Zyngier
Joel Zyngier
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The Federal Court of Australia today delivered a significant decision examining the protection from dismissal due to a person's political opinion. In Lattouf v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (No 2) [2025] FCA 669, Justice Rangiah found the applicant, Antoinette Lattouf, was unlawfully terminated from her employment by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). His Honour ordered the ABC to pay Ms Lattouf $70,000 in compensation for non-economic loss arising from the termination. The Court will hold a separate hearing to determine whether to impose any penalties on ABC for contravening the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).

Ms Lattouf, a journalist and broadcaster, brought a case against the ABC alleging unlawful termination after being removed from her role as a casual presenter on ABC Radio Sydney in December 2023, just three days into a five-day stint. The ABC claimed the decision was due to a breach of its social media policy, after Ms Lattouf shared a Human

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