Claims contract termination invalid after Jackie O feud
Controversial broadcaster Kyle Sandilands has launched a legal challenge to ARN’s decision to terminate the remainder of his 10-year, $100 million contract, claiming it was invalid because he had not breached his obligations.
Sandilands lawyers filed suit in the Federal Court on Friday against ARN and its subsidiary Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, which is the licensee for Sydney’s KIIS.
ARN reported the development to the ASX on Monday morning and said the documents were submitted after markets closed last week. Sandilands’ contract was terminated by ARN last week following an on-air fight between her and co-star Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, which the company said amounted to “serious misconduct” by her.
According to the statement, Sandilands claims that the termination of his contract was “null and void” on the grounds that there was no serious misconduct or breach of contract. The document also states that “the termination was unconscionable under the Australian Consumer Law.”
“The applicants seek an order for the specific performance of the two contracts, payment of amounts due and payable under the contracts at the time of the decision, and damages,” the statement said.
It was stated that ARN disputes these allegations and intends to defend its position in the court process.
“Given the early stage of the matter, the ARN is unable to reliably predict the outcome or any potential financial impact.”
More to come.
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Calum Jaspan is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect with: X or email.
