New claims about sacked veteran journo: court

Veteran TV reporter Robert Ovadia is expected to face allegations from a further 13 women as he sues Network Seven and its news boss over allegations he was unlawfully sacked.

The well-known 7News Sydney journalist launched civil legal action against his former employer following news of his sacking on June 21.

Ovadia was initially stood down after it was revealed he was part of an investigation by the ABC’s Four Corners program into the alleged culture at the Seven Network.

Seven’s Lawyer Vanja Bulut told the Federal Court on Thursday, the Network terminated Ovadia’s employment because of a “number of images sent to a former colleague”, a graduate news producer.

Ms Bulut said the termination, which was effective immediately, was also due to the “sending (an image) of a man’s genital to a colleague”.

The Network is defending is decision to “summarily terminate” Mr Ovadia without notice, with Ms Bulut noting further allegations had arisen supporting that decision.

“Subsequent to (Mr Ovadia’s) dismissal, 13 more females have come forward with complaints in regard to his conduct and they are subject to that investigation,” Ms Bulut told the court.

“He has been written to setting out the additional allegations that have come out subsequent to the dismissal, and to the extent that those allegations are reported in documents.
“Even if they (Seven) didn’t have a basis to primarily terminate the applicant’s employment at that time, the conduct that has come to light subsequently does provide a basis,” she said.

The court was told the matter had gone to the Fair Work Commission six weeks prior for mediation between Mr Ovadia, Seven, and editor-in-chief, Anthony De Ceglie.

It was only after those negotiations failed that it appeared before the court, with Ms Bulut stating Seven refused further mediation attempts citing a “lack of utility”.

Nonetheless, Justice Elizabeth Raper ordered for a new attempt at mediation to be made, noting that it was “worth it to have a go”, once evidence has been submitted.

Much of the legal debate on Thursday morning centred around an attempt by Mr Ovadia’s lawyer to have Seven submit its evidence to the court first, contrary to standard practice.

His lawyer also noted in court documentation provided by Seven regarding 13 further women and their allegations, it had featured redactions and “lacked particularity”.

He said another aspect of the claim was that a statement about the dismissal had been “calculated to demean” Mr Ovadia, and caused “significant harm”.

In response, Ms Bulut noted there was a dispute about whether the statements were in fact made, as well as “what was said and the nature of what was said”.

Mr Ovadia was a 23-year veteran of Seven and a two-time Walkley Award winner. He worked as an investigative reporter and occasional presenter for the Sydney newsroom.

In a statement made after court, Mr Ovadia denied the claims against him.

“The claims are baseless and Seven has never provided evidence despite repeated requests,” he said.

“Even today, no evidence to support any of this – just a dirty tactic to try to bully me away from defending myself.”