Antoinette Lattouf vs ABC: Journalist wins against ABC for illegal termination; awarded $70,000 compensation

In a major legal victory, Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf has been awarded $ 70,000 by the Federal Court after Justice Darryl Rangiah ruled today that her employer, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), illegally terminated her engagement over her political views .

Lattouf, who was serving as a casual host on ABC Radio Sydney in December 2023, had reposted a Human Rights Watch message highlighting Israeli military tactics in Gaza. Two days before her contract ended, she was abruptly taken off air—an act the court deemed a euphemistic dismissal .

Justice Rangiah held that ABC’s justification—that it was a benign roster change—was a “repudiation” of her contract and thus constituted termination . The court found that her political opinions were a motivating factor—though there was no evidence of racial bias .

Courtroom tensions and public reaction

Inside the courtroom, Lattouf broke down in tears upon hearing the ruling and later told reporters that “punishing someone for sharing facts about these war crimes is also illegal” . Outside, supporters— many backing Palestinian rights—gathered to cheer the verdict.

ABC under scrutiny

The broadcaster, which spent over $ 1.1 million preparing for trial after rejecting an $ 85,000 settlement offer, has issued an apology via managing director Hugh Marks. Marks acknowledged procedural lapses that led to “distress” for Lattouf and promised internal review . A Senate Estimates hearing exposed ABC staff dismay at the decision to mount such a costly fight .

Documents revealed the dismissal decision followed a “flurry of complaints” and pressure from senior ABC figures—former chair Ita Buttrose and MD David Anderson—who described the situation as a public relations crisis .

Legal and ethical implications

Today's verdict confirms that the ABC breached sections of the Fair Work Act, which protect political expression under section 772 and require fair termination procedures under section 50 . While racial discrimination claims were dismissed, the court found ABC failed to follow its enterprise agreement regarding dismissal .