ARN's court bombshell: network claims Jackie O basically sacked herself

ARN and Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) have sharpened their defence against Jackie ‘O’ Henderson's Federal Court claim, arguing the KIIS FM star repudiated her own contract by refusing to keep working with Kyle Sandilands and insisting on a different timeslot.

In an amended defence filed in the Federal Court on Friday, ARN and CBC reject claims they unlawfully terminated Henderson's agreement. Instead, the broadcasters argue that they were entitled to terminate the contract after receiving correspondence from Henderson's lawyers stating that she "cannot continue to work with Mr Sandilands".

The filing is the latest development in the long-running dispute between Henderson, Henderson Media and ARN, which centres on workplace bullying allegations, contractual obligations and the circumstances surrounding the termination of Henderson's long-running KIIS agreement.

What's behind the latest development?

The dispute traces back to a live broadcast on 20 February 2026, during which Sandilands aggressively berated Henderson on air over her interest in astrology, calling her "off with the fairies" and "almost unworkable". Henderson left the studio and did not return to air.

Henderson's lawyers sent CBC a formal workplace complaint on 26 February 2026. Rather than addressing it, CBC terminated her contract on 3 March 2026, alleging she had walked away from the agreement - a characterisation Henderson denies. Her claim, which seeks at least $82.25 million in total, remains before the Federal Court, with a two-week trial scheduled to begin on 12 October 2026.

The stakes extend beyond Henderson's employment.

 Fresh filings in the case revealed ARN's board had declared Henderson a "bad leaver" under a $3 million share loan agreement tied to her 2023 contract, entitling ARN to sell her shares and recover the loan - a declaration Henderson's amended claim also disputes. 

Separately, ARN settled its Federal Court dispute with Sandilands for $12.09 million in June, closing out his side of the on-air fallout while Henderson's case continued.

READ MORE: New Jackie O court filings reveal $3m share loan claim and ARN-ordered medical exam

READ MORE: ARN settles with Kyle Sandilands for $12.09 million

ARN says complaint letter crossed into contract breach

At the centre of ARN's amended defence is its argument that Henderson's contract required her to co-host a breakfast program with Sandilands unless both parties agreed to an alternative arrangement.

The broadcaster argues that Henderson's complaint letter went beyond raising workplace concerns and instead communicated an unequivocal intention not to perform the breakfast show covered by the agreement. According to the filing, the letter conveyed that Henderson would not work with Sandilands again and would not continue presenting a breakfast program under the existing agreement.

ARN further argues Henderson had no contractual right to require the company to provide an alternative daypart, and that the broadcaster had no obligation to do so. The defence ultimately contends that Henderson and Henderson Media repudiated the agreement, entitling ARN to terminate it.

Broadcaster disputes Fair Work allegations

The amended defence also attacks a key plank of Henderson's Fair Work case. ARN argues the arrangement between the parties was not the type of "contract for services" contemplated by the Fair Work Act provisions relied upon by Henderson.

The broadcaster further alleges references in the complaint letter to workplace rights, SafeWork NSW and anti-bullying protections were not made "in good faith and for a proper purpose", claiming they were instead used to pressure ARN into offering Henderson an alternative role away from breakfast radio.

ARN acknowledges dispute with Sandilands

While rejecting liability, ARN does not dispute that conflict occurred between Henderson and Sandilands. The broadcaster admits the pair had an on-air argument followed by a heated off-air exchange.

However, ARN argues it responded appropriately, detailing a series of welfare checks, executive interventions and internal discussions following the incident. The filing states that Henderson was offered the option not to return to complete the program, that senior executives spoke with both parties, and that ARN leaders described Sandilands' conduct as "unacceptable workplace behaviour".

ARN also points to messages sent by chief executive officer Michael Stephenson checking on Henderson's wellbeing in the days following the incident.

Share agreement and public statements challenged

The amended defence also addresses claims relating to Henderson's shareholding arrangement with ARN, with the broadcaster arguing that the relevant agreements permitted repayment obligations and share forfeiture if the services agreement was validly terminated under specific provisions.

ARN additionally rejects allegations that it engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct through public statements made after Henderson's departure, arguing its market announcement accurately reflected the position outlined in correspondence from Henderson's legal representatives.