Fair Work Commission to hear sacked CA staffer Angela Williamson’s case

UPDATED: A WOMAN sacked by Cricket Australia for criticising the Tasmanian Government’s lack of abortion services on social media will take the matter to the Federal Court.

UPDATED: A WOMAN sacked by Cricket Australia for criticising the Tasmanian Government’s lack of abortion services on social media will take the matter to the Federal Court.

Angela Williamson, who was dismissed by CA in June, failed to reach an agreement with CA at a Fair Work Commission hearing today.

“We will now continue the case in the Federal Court to determine that she should not have lost her job for expressing a political opinion,” Ms Williamson’s lawyer Kamal Farouque said in a statement.

‘We note that Cricket Australia made a statement early this morning, a few hours prior to the conciliation, disclosing that it had offered Ms Williamson an alternative job.

“This offer was made two weeks ago, directly to Ms Williamson by Cricket Australia.

“Ms Williamson considered the offer and rejected it as it was not the same position as she had been dismissed from.”

Angela Williamson said: “I spoke my mind on a political issue because I believe strongly in the reproductive health rights of Tasmanian women.

“I am disappointed the case didn’t resolve today, but I am prepared to continue my fight in the Federal Court.”

EARLIER: CRICKET Australia says a female staffer sacked after criticising the Tasmanian Government’s lack of abortion services on social media rejected a new job offer and won’t be returning to the organisation.

Angela Williamson was dismissed in June by CA from her Hobart-based government relations role for “offensive comments” and “disparaging tone” used in Twitter posts.

Ms Williamson had travelled to Victoria to have a pregnancy terminated at her own expense after the closure of Tasmania’s only private provider in January.

She criticised the State Government’s lack of abortion services on Twitter and was subsequently dismissed.

Her case is on Friday being heard by the Fair Work Commission. Ms Williamson’s lawyer told AAP she wants her old job back.

CA says Ms Williamson was recently offered a new position as communications manager but she declined.

“As a result, Ms Williamson won’t be returning to CA,” the statement released today says.

“The organisation is standing by its decision in late June to dismiss Ms Williamson after she published disparaging comments in social media, rendering her Tasmanian Government Relations Manager role untenable.”

CA boss James Sutherland said he discussed the new role with Ms Williamson and was “disappointed” she didn’t take it.

“We have reflected on Angela’s dismissal and been empathetic to her personal circumstances and the sensitivity of the underlying issues,” he said.

“While this is a difficult matter with many aspects and layers, it’s important that in our leadership of cricket in this country, we continue to be guided and influenced by our values.

“Our values focus heavily on demonstrating appropriate behaviours and showing respect to members and stakeholders of our diverse community all the time.”

On Thursday, police said they will not investigate whether Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson played an illegal role in Ms Williamson’s dismissal after calls from the state opposition.

Ms Williamson has previously accused Mr Ferguson of accessing her private health information and leaking it to her employer.

EARLIER: A CRICKET Australia staffer sacked for criticising the Tasmanian Government on social media for a lack of abortion services will have her case heard by the Fair Work Commission.

Angela Williamson was dismissed in June by CA from her Hobart-based government relations role for her “offensive comments” and “disparaging tone” used in Twitter posts.

Ms Williamson had travelled to Victoria to have a pregnancy terminated at her own expense after the closure of Tasmania’s only private provider in January. She criticised the State Government’s lack of abortion services on Twitter and was subsequently dismissed.

Angela Williamson talking about her sacking in an interview on The Project.

The Fair Work Commission will today hold a conciliation conference between Ms Williamson and CA.

Ms Williamson is seeking reinstatement but the matter could head to court if they don’t come to an agreement, her lawyer Kamal Farouque told AAP.

On Thursday, police said there were no grounds for a police probe into whether Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson played an illegal role in Ms Williamson’s dismissal.

MORE: POLICE REJECT FERGUSON PROBE OVER SACKING

Ms Williamson has previously accused Mr Ferguson of accessing her private health information and leaking it to her employer.