Updated ,first published
Jackie “O” Henderson has followed his partner Kyle Sandilands in taking their former employer ARN to court, after the pair’s $200 million contract was broken this month.
ARN announced the news in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday morning, saying Henderson claims he was unlawfully dismissed. ARN said Henderson made “mental health and safety and bullying complaints” to the station about Sandilands’ behavior towards her on February 20, the day of their on-air banter, and before that.
Henderson is seeking damages of “at least” $82,250,000, claiming his contract was unfairly terminated after his representatives informed the company that he could no longer work with Sandilands. ARN said it disputes Henderson’s claims and intends to defend the case.
The case has been filed in the Federal Court against Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of ARN which holds the license to KIIS FM in Sydney.
Henderson’s statement of claim also alleges that the ASX announcement detailing its suspension on March 3 included “misleading and deceptive statements” under the Australian Consumer Law, the company said.
The request follows Sandilands’ own legal challenge, also accusing the company of unlawfully terminating the contract this month after his contract was terminated two weeks after Henderson’s.
The Sandilands case was heard for the first time in the Federal Court on Friday in Sydney, after his contract was terminated following allegations of “gross misconduct” relating to his behavior towards Henderson.
More to come
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Calum Jaspan is a media reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him safely on Waves @calumjaspan.10Connect through X or email address.
