Kyle Sandilands claims he ‘suffered humiliation’ after he was sacked by Kiis FM over on-air spat with Jackie O | Australian media
Kyle Sandilands suffered humiliation and loss of reputation after Kiis FM sacked him from its most-watched radio show for serious misconduct, according to documents filed in the federal court.
Sandilands and her co-host Jackie “O” Henderson took separate legal action against Kiis FM licensee Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), which terminated both of them a year after Kyle and Jackie O signed separate 10-year contracts for the breakfast show. It was supposed to last until December 31, 2035, but its services were terminated last month.
The statement of claim, prepared by Sandilands’ barrister Scott Robertson SC and Philip Boncardo, alleges that although the shock jock’s contract stated that the $100 million deal could be terminated if he committed serious misconduct, no such behavior occurred and the termination was void.
The contract stated that CBC could terminate the contract immediately. [agreement] If Mr. Sandilands commits a serious act of misconduct that affects or jeopardizes the program and the business.
CBC notified Sandilands that it considered “certain comments Mr. Sandilands made to and about Ms. Henderson during the broadcast of the program on February 20, 2026 constituted a serious act of misconduct by Mr. Sandilands that affected or compromised the program” and was given 14 days to make amends.
A few minutes after midnight 14 days later, Sandilands was told his contract had been terminated and he was deprived of the remaining $85 million he would have earned had the contract been allowed to continue.
“Mr Sandilands is a person who has suffered loss or damage as a result of CBC’s involvement in this action. [of terminating his contract]” said the claim.
“Mr Sandilands has suffered humiliation and loss of reputation because of the alleged justification of his conduct. [the termination of his contract].”
The justification for Sandilands’ sacking began with an on-air argument with Henderson over her interest in astrology, after which she left the program in tears.
Sandilands’ claim was that the incident reported by the CBC did not constitute a “radical departure” from the relationship established through her contracted role as a “strong character” presenting a “deliberately provocative” radio show on Kiis FM.
The claim also denied that the alleged behavior was persistent.
“For a violation to be ‘persistent’ for the purposes of this term, it must be repeated or continuing,” the statement of claim said.
“The disputed conduct occurring over a period of approximately 20 minutes on a single day is not capable of constituting ‘persistent’ conduct in the relevant sense.”
Court documents filed in his own case show that five months before he left the air, Henderson sent a text message to the chairman of the Kiis FM Network saying listeners had complained that he was in an “abusive relationship” with Sandilands.
Sandilands said he was complying with all the terms of his contract, including “making every effort to provide a fun and stimulating programme” and attending meetings, presentations and events in Sydney as a “key ambassador”.
Sandilands asked the court to declare the right of termination invalid and to award compensation or compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
Under the agreement between CBC and Sandilands’ company, Quasar, the broadcaster was awarded $7.4 million in cash, $200,000 in consulting fees, $120,000 in flight stipends and $500,000 in airtime rights worth $500,000 each year.
Defendants must file and serve defenses and any cross-claim notices and statements by April 21.
The parties will return to court on April 24 for case management.
