Antoinette Lattouf Seeks $350K Penalty From ABC Over Unlawful 2023 Dismissal

Antoinette Lattouf has returned to the Federal Court in Sydney seeking a pecuniary penalty of $300,000 to $350,000 against the ABC after it was found she was unlawfully dismissed due to her political opinions opposing the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. In June, Federal Court Justice Darryl Rangiah ruled that ABC's termination of Lattouf's employment in 2023 was to appease pro-Israel lobbyists and contravened the Fair Work Act, ordering the ABC to pay her $70,000 in compensation. During the penalty hearing, ABC's lawyers argued for a significantly lower fine between $37,500 and $56,000, while Lattouf's counsel emphasized the seriousness of the breach and its implications for liberal democratic values. Despite the court ruling, Lattouf has not yet received a personal public apology from the ABC, which only issued a statement expressing regret for how her removal was handled. The case has sparked broader discussions about freedom of political expression in media workplaces and the responsibilities of broadcasters under employment law. The Federal Court's final decision on the pecuniary penalty is pending.