Airlie Walsh is suing Nine Network over her treatment while pregnant

A Channel 9 reporter is suing the Nine Network in the Federal Court after filing a human rights sexual discrimination complaint, which is believed to be over her treatment while pregnant.

Channel 9 reporter Airlie Walsh is suing the Nine Network in the Federal Court after filing a human rights sexual discrimination complaint, which is believed to be over her treatment while pregnant.

It was revealed this week leading employment law firm Maurice Blackburn, which is acting for Walsh, filed a claim against the company on November 29.

Walsh, who has been on maternity leave since 2023 after the premature birth of her son, has not revealed the specifics of her claim, however it’s understood they relate to historic interactions.

Saturday Confidential believes the claim relates to two specific incidents.

It is believed that Walsh claims that a lack of support throughout her pregnancy and an inappropriate text exchange between two employees.

“When Airlie was pregnant, she asked for parking to avoid public transport, but they said no,” one source said.

Airlie Walsh. Picture: airliewalsh/Instagram

Airlie Walsh at a David Jones fashion launch in 2019.

“Then they kept expecting her to run around from job to job. She was exhausted and told them.

“Then one morning she fell and fainted at court. She was distraught at the lack of support.”

It is also believed there was a text exchange between two members of staff regarding her body, which was witnessed by other staff members.

Saturday Confidential went to Nine and Walsh for comment yesterday.   

Nine said, “We won’t be commenting”.

Walsh, who is close friend with singer Delta Goodrem and fellow Nine reporter Renee Bargh, has this week been supported by a number of high profile media personalities including Ben Fordham who called the reporter “a thoroughly decent and honest person.

2GB radio host Ben Fordham is a close friend of Airlie Walsh. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.r. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

Neither Goodrem, Bargh nor Fordham are the subject of the claim.

‘There is a story... today involving someone I know well,’ he told his top-rating breakfast show audience. ‘I just wanted to say this about Airlie Walsh...,” he said. “First of all, I have not discussed the matter with her at all, so I’m not privy to any of the details of Airlie’s complaint ... but I’ve known Airlie for a long time.

“And I believe Airlie Walsh to be a thoroughly decent and honest person and I will be watching with interest what happens with her case. She’s a first-class human being, a very good reporter and, Airlie, I’m thinking of you this morning.”