ARN is facing a combined $160 million legal battle from its former star duo, with Jackie ‘O’ Henderson alleging she was sacked after raising workplace safety concerns.
The claim centres on whether that complaint constituted the exercise of a workplace right under the Fair Work Act, and whether her subsequent sacking was a direct response to that action.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jackie O sues ARN for $82 million
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Henderson is seeking at least $82.25 million in compensation, plus penalties, interest and costs, claiming her dismissal came after she made psychosocial health and safety complaints about her working environment, including allegations of bullying involving former co-host Kyle Sandilands.
Henderson had raised her concerns in a formal letter to the company following an on-air clash with Sandilands in February, in which she indicated she could not continue working with him.
Sunrise Entertainment Editor Peter Ford said it raised serious questions about how workplace complaints are handled, noting employees should not be penalised for raising safety concerns.
Her lawsuit also alleges the network’s market announcement about the pair’s departure in early March included misleading and deceptive statements.
The escalation shifts the dispute beyond the breakdown of one of Australia’s biggest radio partnerships, placing scrutiny on how the network responded after concerns were raised internally.
It also intensifies pressure on ARN, which is already defending a separate lawsuit from Sandilands worth about $85 million as he seeks to recover the remainder of his contract.
Ford suggested the protracted legal battle may not be in anyone’s best interests.
“I don’t think either of them really want to be mired down in years of legal battles. I think everybody might be best served to find a way out of this,” he said.
ARN has denied the allegations and said it will defend both claims, with court proceedings expected to run over several days in June.
