Proceedings continue in unfair dismissal case of journalist Antoinette Lattouf against the ABC
Proceedings have resumed for a fifth day at the Federal Court after freelance journalist Antoinette Lattouf launched legal action against the ABC for unfair dismissal.
Lattouf, who briefly worked as a fill-in radio host for the ABC, initiated the legal action against the broadcaster last year over claims her contract was unfairly terminated in December 2023.
The journalist stated she was dismissed after sharing a post on Instagram on December 19, 2023, by Human Rights Watch about the war in Gaza, which claimed Israel was using "starvation as a tool of war".
Lattouf mentioned being told by ABC management in a meeting the following day that she had breached its social media policies.
Thursday's proceedings saw ABC outgoing chair David Anderson relentlessly cross-examined by Lattouf's barrister Oshie Fagir about his involvement in the saga.
Anderson admitted he did not "believe" typical processes for sanctioning misconduct were adhered to when Lattouf was taken off air in December 2023.
Anderson explained that a formal process includes an investigation as per the employment agreement, usually conducted by employee relations or People and Culture.
Friday's proceedings kicked off with outgoing content chief Chris Oliver-Taylor's cross-examination by Fagir.
Oliver-Taylor admitted to not consulting with People and Culture in Lattouf's case.
"When did you consult with People and Culture in relation to the issues pertaining to Ms Lattouf's personal use of social media?" Fagir asked.
"I did not," Oliver-Taylor responded.
Earlier, Fagir had questioned Oliver-Taylor on the processes followed when deciding to take Lattouf off air.
"It was highly atypical for you as chief content officer to be scrutinising the conduct of a casual employee engaged to work for five days at ABC Radio Sydney, correct?" Fagir probed.
Oliver-Taylor responded: "I would say that is correct".
"It is certainly unusual for both the chief content officer and the managing director to be scrutinising the conduct of a casual employee on a five-day contract?" Fagir continued.
Oliver-Taylor once again agreed.
Oliver-Taylor did not agree when Fagir suggested that the way Lattouf's case was handled was "highly abnormal", but then mentioned a "different approach" was used to "look into this".
The ABC has denied Lattouf was unfairly dismissed, arguing that she was paid for her full five-day contract.
Lattouf spent almost five hours under cross-examination on Tuesday, at times breaking down in tears as she recounted the events of her last day at the public broadcaster.
