ABC managing director says Antoinette Lattouf case not a good use of taxpayer money

Australia Broadcast Center

25-06-2025

The ABC's managing director says the more than $1 million spent in litigation with journalist Antoinette Lattouf was not "a good use of taxpayers' money" following her win in the Federal Court.
A Federal Court judge on Wednesday found Ms Lattouf was unlawfully terminated by the ABC after she was taken off air three days into a five-day contract as an ABC Radio Sydney presenter in December 2023.
Justice Darryl Rangiah ruled the ABC contravened the Fair Work Act by terminating her employment for reasons "including that she held a political opinion opposing the Israeli military campaign in Gaza".
Managing director Hugh Marks told ABC News Channel the matter was "regrettable".
"Let's face it, as it's been reported, many millions of dollars have been spent that shouldn't have been spent," he said.
In February, the ABC told Senate estimates the broadcaster had spent at least $1.1 million in its defence.
Attempts by Ms Lattouf had been made to resolve the matter at the Fair Work Commission last year, her lawyer said.
Justice Rangiah said the ABC must pay Ms Lattouf $70,000 compensation for "non-economic loss" and further court hearings will be held to determine pecuniary penalty for breaching the Fair Work Act.
In his judgment, Justice Rangiah said the decision to terminate Ms Lattouf's employment was in part "made to appease pro-Israel lobbyists".
"It became clear that the complaints were an orchestrated campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists to have Ms Lattouf taken off air," Justice Rangiah wrote in his judgment.
"The complaints caused great consternation amongst the senior management of the ABC."
In response, Mr Marks said the broadcaster's processes as they stood were "clear" but were not followed in this instance.
"I don't think there's any change that's needed. I think the process is clear, there is defined separation between management — between the conduct of the organisation and external forces," he said.
"The proof will be in the pudding about how we act on that basis going forward. Our obligations are to ensure fairness, impartiality in our reporting and coverage."
Mr Marks said a "big part" of his role would be to address the influence of external forces going forward.
In an earlier written statement, Mr Marks said the ABC acknowledged the Federal Court's decision, adding the broadcaster "let down our staff and audiences".
"This failure has caused understandable concern among the public and inside the organisation," he said.
"The values of the ABC must be reflected in how we work. In this case the judge found the correct processes weren't followed and, consequently, errors were made."
In the statement, Mr Marks said the ABC specifically regretted "how the decision to remove Ms Lattouf from air was handled", noting the distress it in turn caused her.
"We extend our sincere apologies to Ms Lattouf and wish her well in her future endeavours," he said.
Mr Marks, a former Nine Entertainment chief executive, was appointed as former ABC managing director David Anderson's successor in December 2024.
Former chair Ita Buttrose and former ABC chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor — both of whom were cross-examined in the Federal Court proceedings — have since left the ABC.