Buttrose bombshell overshadows Lattouf case
Former ABC chair Ita Buttrose has accused outgoing managing director David Anderson of deliberate misrepresentation in an extraordinary legal letter disputing evidence in the Antoinette Lattouf unfair dismissal case.
The letter, a copy of which is available on Crikey, covers aspects of Anderson’s testimony in the Lattouf case in detail.
Buttrose takes issue with the outgoing MD’s memory of conversations, locations and the timeline of how Lattouf’s sacking came about. The letter contains frank accusations that most media outlets have chosen not to repeat word-for-word, and represents a remarkable meltdown.
Lattouf had been employed for a five-day stint in 2023, but the contract was terminated early after she made social media posts critical of Israel. Lattouf has been described in court as a pro-Palestinian activist.
Managing director David Anderson with former ABC chair Ita Buttrose
She has taken the matter to the Federal Court, suing for unlawful termination in a case that has already cost the ABC more than $1.1m in external legal fees.
Evidence given at the trial by Buttrose and Anderson has been contradictory.
At issue is whether Buttrose unilaterally exerted pressure through ABC middle management to sack Lattouf, or whether Anderson asked her to intervene in order to admonish his Head of Content Chris Oliver-Taylor.
“ It was unusual for the Chair to write to any staff member,” said Buttrose in evidence.
“But as I told you, David wanted him to learn the folly of not checking the backgrounds of people we hire.”
It is not clear whether Justice Daryl Rangiah will consider this particular aspect of the ABC’s inner workings to be relevant to the case. Summing up arguments begin Thursday.
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How can it be possible when your employer asked you not to do something – you ignore the directive and do it anyway then take legal action when you lose your job. Lattouf should hang her head in shame that she is wasting good tax payers money for this! Shame on her.
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