Pianist Jayson Gillham loses discrimination case against Melbourne symphony orchestra over Gaza comments | Australia news

A classical pianist who sued the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has lost her case after claiming she was unlawfully discriminated against for her views on Israeli forces killing Palestinian journalists.

Judge Graeme Hill submitted his findings to the federal court on Friday after Jayson Gillham launched legal action against MSO almost two years ago.

Gillham sued the MSO over the canceled Melbourne concert for which he was contracted on 15 August 2024, claiming it was an attempt to silence him over its stance on Israeli attacks in Gaza.

During a performance four days ago, the pianist played a short piece called Witness, composed by multimedia artist Connor D’Netto and dedicated to Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli forces.

Introducing the study, Gillham told the audience that more than 100 Palestinian journalists had been killed and that targeting journalists in a conflict was a war crime under international law.

The MSO email announcing the decision to cancel the August 15 concert was sent to customers and alleged that Gillham had made personal statements “without seeking MSO’s approval or sanction.”

“MSO does not condone the use of our stage as a platform for the expression of personal views,” the email said, adding that Gillham’s comments caused “distress.”

Gillham’s attorney, Sheryn Omeri KC, argued that there was nothing in the MSO contract that prevented Gillham from making this statement.

Justin Bourke KC, acting on behalf of the MSO, argued that Gillham was performing on the MSO stage and was therefore not allowed to share his personal views on “the most controversial topic discussed worldwide”.

More to come.