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Former Nine reporter reaches settlement over sexual discrimination claim
Former Today television reporter Airlie Walsh has reached a confidential settlement of her Federal Court sex discrimination claim with her former employer, Nine Network Australia.
Kace O'Neill
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on Lawyers Weekly’s sister brand, HR Leader.
After filing legal action through the Federal Court against Nine Network Australia back in October 2023, former reporter Airlie Walsh and the major broadcaster have reached a confidential settlement over a sexual discrimination claim.
Walsh – who had been with the broadcaster since 2008 – lodged the claim against her employer in an attempt to “right a number of wrongs” that occurred in a workplace where a number of perpetual wrongdoings have recently come to light.
Walsh’s decision to come forward with her claim bolsters women with similar experiences to come forward and shine a light on the embedded culture that can persist in commercial newsrooms across the country – often primality to the detriment of women employees.
“After 15 years with Nine Entertainment, in October 2023 I made the difficult decision to engage lawyers and try to right a number of wrongs,” said Walsh in a statement.
“During this time, more women bravely came forward, Nine conducted a culture review, and many of my broadcast colleagues contributed their experiences. In doing so, I was buoyed. It turns out, courage IS contagious.”
Although Walsh didn’t want her tenure at Nine to finish in this fashion, she’s looking forward to the opportunity to heal.
“While this isn’t the way I wanted to leave Nine, I’m filled with gratitude towards those who made me a better journalist and person, and I’m relieved the legal process has been resolved. For now, I won’t be making any further statements. My focus is on healing,” said Walsh.
Maurice Blackburn principal Josh Bornstein, who represented Walsh in this matter, welcomed the confidential settlement, praising Walsh for her courage.
“Airlie’s decision to pursue this case took a lot of courage. It also both spurred other women to take action and Nine to institute major change,” said Bornstein.
“I hope that the settlement of this important case is a further catalyst for the commercial news media to clean up its act. It is well overdue.”
HR Leader reached out to Nine for comment on the settlement reached between the broadcaster and Walsh; however, it declined to do so.
Walsh’s situation seems to be yet another example of Nine’s inadequacies when it comes to protecting and ensuring the wellbeing of its female employees. This, of course, was made evident by the broadcaster’s recent workplace review, which found systemic practices of bullying, discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment.
The workplace review found “concerning levels of inappropriate behaviours” at Nine.
“Inappropriate workplace behaviour at Nine is normalised and occurs out in the open,” the report said.
