‘Unlawful termination’: Antoinette Lattouf claims ABC chief made call to sack her

Sacked ABC host Antoinette Lattouf claims the broadcaster’s managing director, David Anderson, ordered an abrupt end to her short-term radio contract, in legal proceedings filed with the Fair Work Commission.

Lattouf was a fill-in host on ABC Radio Sydney this week, covering for Sarah Macdonald, hosting three shows in the mornings slot before the broadcaster informed her she would not be returning for the final two shifts.

Antoinette Lattouf was filling in on ABC Sydney mornings this week.Credit: Instagram

Lattouf filed a Fair Work application on Friday afternoon, this masthead can reveal, alleging her employment was terminated unlawfully.

The ABC has not commented publicly on the reasons for the termination; however, it is believed to relate to a number of posts on Lattouf’s social media accounts relating to the Israel-Hamas conflict. It also remains unclear whether it relates to posts before or during her contracted period.

The Fair Work submission, obtained by this masthead, alleges Lattouf was dismissed for breaching the ABC’s social media policy by reposting an Instagram post from Human Rights Watch on her account.

Lattouf has been engaged by the ABC as a journalist and presenter across a period from 2009 and 2023, the application notes. Her recent engagement was agreed on December 13 as a casual content creator, which included a stand-in role as mornings presenter on ABC Radio Sydney between December 18 and 22.

ABC managing director David Anderson.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The application alleges the Executive Council of Australian Jewry made a number of complaints about her employment. A meeting with ABC Radio Sydney manager Steve Ahern on December 20 resulted in Lattouf’s termination for a breach of the broadcaster’s social media policy, the application claims. Sarah Ibrahim of Central Lawyers Pty Ltd is acting on behalf of Lattouf.

“Contrary to claims made on behalf of Ms Lattouf, the ECAJ did not make any complaints to the ABC about her political activism, disinformation or gaslighting,” ECAJ co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said on Friday afternoon.

Lattouf alleges that Elizabeth Green, the station’s content director, gave the direction to terminate her contract prematurely.

“It was above me, it was David Anderson. I know I shouldn’t be telling you this,” the application alleges Green was quoted saying to Lattouf.

Australia’s media union said on Thursday that the ABC’s decision to remove Lattouf over social media posts about the Israel-Hamas conflict was  “incredibly disturbing”.Credit: The Age

The broadcaster declined to comment.

Australia’s media union said on Thursday that the ABC’s decision to remove Lattouf over social media posts about the Israel-Hamas conflict was “incredibly disturbing”.

“The decision to sack Antoinette Lattouf from her role as an ABC radio presenter over sharing a post from a reputable human rights organisation is incredibly disturbing,” the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) said.

The ABC’s MEAA house committee also released a statement on Thursday, saying colleagues from diverse backgrounds were disproportionately the target of attacks from the public, and they felt unsupported by the broadcaster’s management and board.

“To our culturally and linguistically diverse colleagues: you are not alone, we have your back,” the committee said.

The committee convened on Thursday afternoon, and one member, speaking anonymously to talk openly about the situation, told this masthead there was “enormous disquiet” within the broadcaster over the decision.

The ABC’s Melbourne office in Southbank was vandalised on Friday morning, with the phrase “tell the truth about Palestine” spray-painted on the exterior of the building.

MEAA acting chief executive Adam Portelli said Australians deserved and expected an ABC that was home to a range of ideas and opinions reflective of Australian society.

“The ABC should be backing its own employees when they come under attack,” Portelli said.

The ABC is yet to comment after an initial statement from a spokesperson on Wednesday.

“ABC Sydney casual presenter Antoinette Lattouf will not be back on air for her remaining two shifts this week,” the spokesperson said.

Employment and industrial relations lawyer Josh Bornstein said on social media platform X that one of the issues raised is whether Lattouf was sacked for her political opinion, in breach of s772(1) (f) of the Fair Work Act, which deals with unlawful terminations.

Bornstein acted for SBS journalist Scott McIntyre after he was dismissed by the broadcaster over a series of tweets on Anzac Day in 2015. Bornstein said it was the provision invoked by McIntyre when he was sacked by SBS.

On Thursday, Lattouf announced she would host a new podcast titled The Antoinettes, launching soon via DM Podcasts.

She was also one of more than 300 journalists – including some from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age – who signed an open letter calling for greater scrutiny on the reporting of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. She also co-authored a story for Crikey on December 13 calling into question reports of protesters chanting “gas the Jews” during an October 9 rally outside the Sydney Opera House.

In August, veteran broadcaster Stan Grant said the ABC was failing First Nations staff and people of colour. The comments came days after Grant exited the ABC this year after a tumultuous few months, standing down as host of Q+A following attacks after an appearance during the ABC’s coverage of the coronation of King Charles.

Days later, the ABC said it would conduct a review into racism at the broadcaster, which is due to report back in 2024.

Earlier this week, another ABC Radio Sydney presenter was dismissed before their due end date, when afternoons host Josh Szeps’ exit was brought forward following an unauthorised Sky News Australia appearance.

As of Friday morning, a petition for the ABC to rehire Lattouf and issue an apology had amassed 5685 signatures.

Lattouf declined to comment.

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