The Federal court case involving the ABC and Antoinette Lattouf has wrapped up with the ABC to pay $150,000 for Lattouf’s unlawful sacking alongside a previously awarded $70,000 in compensation for non-economic loss.
“The ABC’s conduct in surrendering to the demands of the pro-Israel lobbyists and taking Ms Lattouf off air ignored the equally important statutory obligation of maintaining its independence and integrity.
The ABC let down the Australian public badly when it abjectly surrendered the rights of its employee Ms Lattouf to appease a lobby group.”
ABC managing director Hugh Marks, who replaced David Anderson in March this year, said in a statement:
“It was not handled in line with our values and expectations and Ms Lattouf, our staff and the public were let down. We take the matter seriously and have reflected on the lessons learned and their implications. We must be better.
I would like to reiterate the ABC’s sincere apology to Ms Lattouf and wish her all the best in the future.”
The ABC have 28 days to pay Lattouf.
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.