Antoinette Lattouf asserts that her extended legal battle with the national broadcaster has unveiled the “systemic racism and corruption” at the core of the ABC. During an emotional press conference outside Sydney’s federal court at the case’s conclusion, Lattouf stated that her dismissal from the ABC and its aftermath were “the most difficult experience of my life.”

In the ABC’s final statements, if they lose the high-stakes legal battle, they propose only a “modest” payout to Lattouf, despite acknowledging that her dismissal contributed to the psychological condition that underpins her claim for distress and hurt. In its final submissions to the federal court, Ian Neil SC acknowledged that if the corporation was found to have breached the Fair Work Act, it would admit that this was a contributing factor to Lattouf’s psychological distress.

Lattouf, who is suing the ABC for wrongful termination, testified earlier in the court that she has experienced paranoia, sleeplessness, and increased drinking since being removed from her position three days into a five-day casual contract in December 2023.

The ABC’s Ian Neil SC did not argue against compensation but contended there was no evidence of a pre-existing psychological condition that the ABC was aware of and called for a “modest” payout. In contrast, Lattouf’s barrister, Oshie Fagir, argues that the ABC has defended the case in an “objectionable” manner, asserting that this could lead to additional compensation if Lattouf wins.

Outside the court, Lattouf stated her intention clearly: “I have done what I set out to do, and now it’s in the hands of the court. The rot and systemic racism at the ABC have been exposed.”

In summing up the case, Neil acknowledged numerous intermingling causes for the exacerbation of Lattouf’s pre-existing psychological condition. However, he maintained that the evidence suggests that Lattouf’s distress was because of her underlying pre-existing psychological condition and not due to any treatment by the ABC.

Neil argued that the termination – which he described as the ABC relieving Lattouf of her duty to perform further work – had nothing to do with race, political viewpoint, or any form of intolerance. He stated, “It’s not an unfair dismissal case. It’s not a case about fairness of any kind in relation to Ms Lattouf.”

In the ongoing hearing, both parties have debated the distinction between a direction and a suggestion concerning Lattouf not posting on social media about the Israel-Gaza conflict. According to Neil, there is no recollection from top ABC managers about Green not giving Lattouf a clear direction, and they proceeded based on the assumption that she had been directed not to post.

The main reason for Lattouf’s dismissal, according to Neil, was the sharing of a Human Rights Watch (HRW) post, which stated that Israel used starvation as a “weapon of war” in Gaza. Neil emphasized that this was not equivalent to the ABC’s news reporting on the HRW report, which he said was more balanced and nuanced.

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Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/feb/28/antoinette-lattouf-abc-proposes-modest-payout-if-it-loses-ntwnfb