The Sunday Extra presenter and ex-Chaser host Julian Morrow has launched legal against the ABC for allegedly breaching time limits on fixed-term contracts.
Morrow, a former employment lawyer, is arguing that the ABC’s use of fixed-term contracts breaches Labor’s new laws that limit consecutive fixed-term contracts to two years.
Representing himself in the case, Morrow told The Australian Financial Review the ABC’s reliance on rolling contracts is “flagrant illegality”.
He said, “I pointed out to the ABC before the first contract was entered into that this was a breach of their enterprise agreement and they went ahead and did it anyway.
“One of the reasons these practises aren’t challenged is because of the precariousness it imposes on employees.”
The AFR reports that Morrow’s statement of claim said the ABC’s agreement stated “fixed term employment will only be used where the specific job performed by the employee and/or the specific capabilities exercised by the employee are not required on an ongoing basis”.
Morrow has alleged his Sunday Extra role was needed on an ongoing basis, with the program being run weekly since 2012 and having one host at all times.
The ABC is arguing against the case. In its response filed in court the broadcaster said it had not breached the enterprise agreement or the Fair Work Act.
An ABC spokeswoman to The AFR: “As this matter is before the courts it would be inappropriate for the ABC to comment.”
Morrow is no stranger to personal litigation, having in 2020 – 2023 been involved in a long-running legal battle with former business partner Nick Murray over the production of The Checkout.
Top image: Radio presenter Julian Morrow. Image: ABC