Journalist Amber Sherlock‘s case against her former employer, Nine, has seen the broadcaster reveal in court that she was “counselled” about certain interactions with the news team.
Sherlock, who was three weeks away from her 50th birthday when she was sacked in November 2025, claims she was “aged out” of her role.
The Australian now reports that in response to Sherlock’s assertion in court documents that she had “faithfully and diligently served Nine” for 18 years, Nine said her career with them had incidents.
In documents lodged with the Federal Court on Wednesday, Nine claims Sherlock’s tenure “was not distinguished by ‘consistent faithfulness and diligence, and … during the employment, the applicant was counselled … regarding her communications and interactions with colleagues’.”
Nine also refuted Sherlock’s assertion that she was a “well-liked and popular member of the news division’s team”.
Sherlock was involved in an 2017 incident referred to as “jacketgate”. Footage emerged of Sherlock demanding colleague Julie Snook wear a jacket so that the three women in the segment were not all in white
Amber Sherlock on Nine. Image: Instagram
Sherlock claims she was told her job was safe
In late March, new details emerged in the case.
The Australian Financial Review reported that Sherlock claims that around August to September last year, she had a meeting at the BarLume cafe in Nine’s headquarters in Sydney with head of news Fiona Dear. Sherlock said Dear told her that her job was not at risk as the company sought to cut costs.
“You’ll be here forever, we’ll wheel you and Pete [Overton] out of here,” Sherlock alleges Dear told her.
The AFR reported that Sherlock claimed that by November 10, news director Michael Best told her that her role was being made redundant.
Sherlock reportedly alleges in court documents filed against Nine that a letter from them stated the company would “explore redeployment opportunities”. She says she expressed interest in three NSW-based journalist roles during the November 10 meeting.
However, Best told her in a subsequent meeting that “there were no redeployment prospects available in the Sydney newsroom.”
According to the AFR, Sherlock alleges three colleagues in their 30s – Maggie Raworth, Kate Creedon and Sophie Walsh – were not made redundant and were given her responsibilities.
“Nine’s decision to redeploy the individuals identified … was taken because each of those individuals is at least 10 years younger than the applicant,” Sherlock’s court documents state, adding, “of a hybrid combination of … age and sex (that is: because she was an almost 50-year-old woman)”.
Nine responds to Amber Sherlock
A Nine spokesperson said at the time Sherlock filed her claim:
“Nine does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of age or any other factor.
“We strongly reject any suggestion that this influences any decision to remove a role that is no longer required in our business.
“The dedicated role of the 6pm weather presenter for 9News Sydney was made redundant in November 2025.
“Since then, a number of different reporters and presenters have presented the 6pm weather in addition to filling other roles across the network.”
Nine currently has the following camera-facing female staff who are at or around 50 years old:
– Belinda Russell
– Deb Knight
– Tracy Grimshaw
– Gabby Rogers
– Christine Ahern
– Leila McKinnon
– Tara Brown
– Melissa Downes
– Monika Kos
Sherlock is reportedly seeking $293,154 for economic loss, $100,000 in general damages for hurt to her reputation and career, and $30,000 for each contravention of the Fair Work Act.
Top image: In 2017, footage emerged of Amber Sherlock demanding colleague Julie Snook wear a jacket so that the three women in the segment were not all in white. Image: Nine
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