Cricket staffer says she was sacked for her views on abortion

A DISGRUNTLED Tasmanian Cricket Australia employee has taken the sporting body to Fair Work Australia after being dismissed for what she believes are her views on abortion.

A DISGRUNTLED Tasmanian Cricket Australia employee has taken the sporting body to Fair Work Australia after being dismissed for what she believes are her views on abortion.

Angela Williamson was employed by CA as Cricket Tasmania’s government relations and infrastructure manager, working with and lobbying governments for grants and support for the sport.

But she was sacked last month after about 18 months in the role over social media comments about the Tasmanian Government’s policy on abortion, aimed at Premier Will Hodgman and Health Minister Michael Ferguson.

CA believes Ms Williamson is entitled to her opinions, but breached its social media policy by attacking a government she was employed to work with on behalf of Cricket Tasmania.

A CA spokesman said: “We can confirm that Cricket Australia ended its employment arrangement with Ms William­son in late June.

“The circumstances surrounding that decision are now the subject of legal proceedings and it would be inappropriate for Cricket Australia to publicly comment on Ms Williamson’s specific circumstances any further.

“We will continue to follow and respect the current process. Cricket Australia respects an individual’s right to their opinion. However, it expects that employees will refrain from making offensive comments that contravene the organisation’s policies.”

The Mercury attempted to contact Ms Williamson.

On one occasion on April 28, Ms Williamson posted on Twitter:

“IRONY — Premier responds to questions about Tas women flying interstate for surgical terminations due to ZERO State Gov support at a press conference for an interstate AFL Team that gets over 3 million State Gov support per year #auspol #politas”.

It is the second time in less than a week Cricket Tasmania has had legal issues with a former member of staff, after a former employee pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing and two counts of dishonestly acquiring financial advantages.

Renee Ferguson, 44, of Howrah, entered pleas of not guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday.

It is alleged Ms Ferguson, between September 29 and November 23, stole $1942 in cash from Cricket Tasmania, and obtained by means of deception a Hobart Hurricanes family membership, worth $339, in July last year.

It is also alleged Ms Ferguson obtained by means of deception a Cricket Tasmania junior and platinum membership, worth $705, without paying for it, in August.