This Month
Husic urges digital crackdown on hate speech
The former industry minister says artificial intelligence is a “bad bet” to solve Islamophobia and antisemitism.
Senior superannuation fund manager allegedly sexually harassed staff
An employee at a multibillion-dollar Australian pension investment firm allegedly made repeated unwelcome advances towards several colleagues.
Silk fined for ‘sexual touching’ also one of Australia’s Best Lawyers
A barrister praised for his employment law nous has been ordered to undertake counselling focused on sexual harassment.
June
Reform a ‘game changer’ for sexual harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work report suggests fining companies that fail to deal with workplace sexual harassment.
Sexual predator or #MeToo ‘poster boy’? Weinstein retrial nears end
The majority-female jury is expected to start deliberations at some point on Wednesday, inheriting a case that was seen as a watershed five years ago.
May
NSW backs down on forcing bosses, workers to anti-bullying commission
Psychological injury claims will get speedier assessment but lower interim payments, under a Labor bid to pass workers’ compensation reforms.
March
Hedge fund boss Odey banned from working for ‘lack of integrity’
The UK regulator’s decision could mark the closing chapter in the stunning downfall of one of Britain’s most high-profile investment managers.
February
Lecturer sacked for hugs and suggesting student start OnlyFans
University of Tasmania academic Sisitha Jayasinghe unsuccessfully challenged his termination over claims he bought Chanel perfume and gave lingering hugs to a post-graduate student despite her protests.
Dovetail boss says workplace relationship was an error, denies assault
The chief executive of the billion-dollar start-up has filed dozens of messages sent by his employee to support his claim they had a consensual relationship.
Social media giants face massive fines under proposed safety laws
If adopted by the Albanese government, the new penalties would likely affect platforms owned by Meta as well as TikTok, SnapChat, and Elon Musk’s X.
January
Meta must keep meddling state actors off Facebook: Jones
The assistant treasurer has warned the social media company its embrace of unfettered free speech must not pave the way for state actors to interfere in elections.
December 2024
Blake Lively turns the shame around
The actress is suing a Hollywood studio alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign. It may prolong the pain but the only way to end impunity is to speak up.
Sexual harassment class action to target BHP, Rio
The big miners’ efforts to attract more female employees have suffered a setback with the launch of sexual harassment class actions.
Nine’s Airlie Walsh sues network amid workplace culture fallout
The well-known television personality had worked on the Today breakfast program and as a political reporter for more than a decade.
November 2024
Elon Musk slams Albanese’s social media ban
The owner of X had a swing at the Australian government’s prohibition for children under 16 as he prepares to take a role in the Trump administration.
Government to pursue tech giants for social harm
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland says Canberra will introduce a “digital duty of care” that could punish platforms for causing systemic trauma.
Lack of action on workplace harassment holds back productivity
Readers’ letters on the impact of anonymous harassment reports; the need for flexibility in the super system; fee-free university; Trump’s inflation danger; working-class voters; and climate obligations.
Social media ban doesn’t trust parents to raise their kids
If Canberra truly wanted to support families, it would invest in digital literacy rather than wielding a sledgehammer.
Lack of anonymous reporting channels fuels harassment underreporting
Victims of work-related sexual harassment do not have the option of reporting incidents anonymously at more than three in 10 large companies, research shows.
UK watchdog plans action against Crispin Odey over sexual misconduct
Hedge fund boss Crispin Odey was the subject of a series of assault claims in 2023 that plunged the firm he founded into turmoil.