Ten political journalist Tegan George takes action in Australian Human Rights Commission alleging sex discrimination
Network Ten political journalist Tegan George is taking further action against her employer over bullying claims during her time working in Canberra’s press gallery.
Network Ten political reporter Tegan George is taking further action against her employer to the Australian Human Rights Commission, alleging sex discrimination at her workplace.
In a Federal Court hearing on Monday before Justice Judith Katzmann, George’s lawyer Siobhan Kelly said her client was in “hospital at the moment seeking medical treatment” and was open to mediation with the commercial network.
The action taken in the AHRC is a mandatory legal step that must be made for George to continue her action against her employer in the Federal Court.
Ten has denied bullying claims by George and last month described many of her allegations as “vague and embarrassing and liable to be struck out”.
George claims to have been bullied by multiple staff members during her time working in Ten’s Canberra Press Gallery bureau between 2019 and 2021.
Ms Kelly told the court the legal proceedings “have taken slightly longer” given her client remains in hospital.
Justice Katzmann told the court: “I assume the respondent will go into mediation with a genuine desire to try and reach an amicable settlement”.
Ten, who is being represented by lawyer Michael Seck, agreed.
George, who remains employed at Ten, has been on leave since June last year and took action against the network earlier this year, alleging she suffered stress and humiliation during the time working for Ten.
In her statement of claim she went on to name colleagues including the network’s political editor Peter van Onselen, also co-host of The Project and contributing editor at The Australian, claiming he alongside others bullied her during her time working at parliament.
Ten has vehemently denied George’s claims.
In their defence documents they also responded to claims about George’s involvement in a separate sexual harassment investigation, revealing that she conceded she would not participate in any way.
The documents claim a text message sent by George on May 10, 2021 to Canberra bureau chief Achim Bormann explained she did not want to escalate investigations to her managers relating to a sexually lewd comment made by a male colleague and friend of hers about another female in the office.
On Monday, Mr Seck pointed out there was a third set of proceedings between George and Ten in the Fair Work Commission, where the reporter sought “stop bullying” orders.
These proceedings remain adjourned and he requested all actions be mediated before the Federal Court.
Ms Kelly confirmed the Fair Work proceedings “were not being actively pursued at the moment”.
Justice Katzmann said its important legal costs are kept to a minimum and the matter resolved swiftly.
“I would have thought however it would be in the interests of both parties that the matter resolves and that it resolves expeditiously,” she said.
“I would encourage the parties to use their best endeavours to see that that’s achieved.”
The case continues.
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