10 lodges defence in lawsuit brought by Tegan George

Network 10 has now lodged documents with the Federal Court following bullying claims levelled by political reporter Tegan George.

According to The Australian 10 rejects allegations she was bullied by multiple staff members, including political editor Peter van Onselen, and complaints about news management, while working in its Canberra bureau between 2019 and 2021.

In her Breach of General Protections in the workplace claim, George accused the network of failing to provide a safe working environment. The lawsuit alleges a ‘toxic’, ‘bullying’ culture at the Canberra bureau ‘reduced Ms George’s standing and reputation as a journalist’. George has been on leave since last June, citing vomiting, an inability to sleep and being ‘stressed to incapacity’.

Amongst a range of complaints, were claims van Onselen failed to acknowledge her in the 2020 Kennedy Awards, his inability to have coffee with her, and writing his on-air scripts for him.

10 noted van Onselen was unaware of his Kennedy nomination, is primarily based in Melbourne or Sydney travelling to Canberra “by exception” and that she wrote no more than 10 of his scripts during her employ.

The Canberra bureau was also the subject of an internal review following complaints around staff culture late late year. 10 responded to claims about George’s involvement in a sexual harassment investigation, revealing that she conceded she would not participate.

However, George’s legal representative, Josh Bornstein, earlier this month noted, “Any suggestion that Ms George refused or failed to report an incident of sexual harassment is false.”

Tegan George joined 10 in 2010 after 3 years at WIN Television and last year was the first to grill PM Scott Morrison on his reaction to Brittany Higgins’ allegations ‘as a husband and a father.’

10 said in a statement they the grievances “very seriously and has been actively involved, over many months, in seeking a sensible resolution”.

“We have offered and provided support to all employees involved in this matter.”