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ARTICLE · 09 JANUARY 2025

Lat­touf v ABC: The Cur­rent State of Play

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This is not an unfair dismissal case.

AustraliaEmployment and HR
Michael Byrnes
Michael Byrnes
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Background

Just like the Israel Folau case, the proceedings commenced by journalist, host and author Antoinette Lattouf against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have garnered significant media attention and again shone the spotlight on the issues arising from the use of social media by employees.

The applications and the responses filed by the parties are not in the public domain, however, some details of their respective positions can be gleaned from the directions issued by Deputy President Boyce of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) on 23 January 2024 (Directions).

In respect of the proceedings to date it is evident from the Directions that:

  1. On 22 December 2023, Ms Lattouf filed an unlawful termination dispute application with the FWC pursuant to section 773 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Act) on the ground of alleged unlawful termination of employment for reasons of political opinion.

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Michael Byrnes, Partner
Phone: + 61 2 9233 5544
Email: [email protected]

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