Characterising a settled lawsuit by a Westpac senior executive alleging employment breaches as a “private” matter, a judge has made broad confidentiality orders that bar public access to the case.
Despite arguing for suppression as a means only to successful mediation, Westpac now wants a settled employment case brought by an executive kept under lock and key. And in a worrying sign the Federal Court may have lost sight of the importance of open justice, a judge has indicated she would entertain an order that the suit never see the light of day.
Westpac has secured confidentiality orders blocking the release of details of an adverse action case by its former head of strategy, after arguing that publicity would hamper settlement talks and force it to defend itself in the media.
A judge has refused to allow a female pilot to bring claims that Qantas engaged in sex discrimination because it had a culture that was “hostile to women”, saying that while the ‘vibe’ of a claim might suffice in the court of public opinion, it could not survive in a court of record.
The theatre company behind a 2014 production of the Rocky Horror picture show has lost its bid to throw out actor Christie Whelan’s claims that she was victimised after allegedly suffering sexual harassment by fellow actor Craig McLachlan.
The former director of public prosecutions in the ACT, Shane Drumgold SC, has largely succeeded in his challenge against an inquiry into the prosecution of Brittany Higgins’ assault claims against Bruce Lehrmann, with a judge finding the inquiry’s report gave rise to an apprehension of bias.
A judge has refused a bid by the ACT Police Chief to intervene on behalf of the AFP in Shane Drumgold SC legal challenge to the findings of an inquiry into the prosecution of Brittany Higgins’ assault claims against Bruce Lehrmann, but has allowed six police officers to be joined to defend the findings.
Ten wants to stay a sex discrimination claim brought by journalist Tegan George in light of separate personal injury proceedings seeking damages from the broadcaster over PTSD allegedly caused by reporting from the 2019-2020 bushfires.
A theatre company accused of discriminating against actress Christie Whelan Browne and subjecting her to repeated sexual harassment has dropped a bid to suppress parts of her claim to protect actor Craig McLachlan from distress and embarrassment.
Qantas has succeeded in attacking claims that it created a workplace that was “hostile to women”, leveled in a former female pilot’s sex discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit.