Tegan George expands claims in Fair Work case

10 political reporter Tegan George has expanded her bullying claim against the network, alleging it failed to stop Peter van Onselen from “tormenting” her in social media posts.

In February George accused the network political editor of undermining and humiliating her, including by backgrounding other journalists against her, according to the statement of claim filed against the network in the federal court.

Guardian Australia reports George has now updated that claim to allege she has been further victimised because she exercised her right to go to court under the Fair Work Act.

According to the statement of claim, George has been unable to work since June last year and was recently in hospital. She claims she suffered “hurt, humiliation and distress” and the loss of opportunity to advance her career at the network, in part due to her alleged treatment by Van Onselen.

The claim alleges Van Onselen tweeted about George despite a Network 10 policy which requires employees not to bully or harass people on social media.

According to the statement of claim, George was in hospital at the time.

The statement of claim alleges George was required to work “in a workplace that was hostile to women”, in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act.

A spokesperson for the 10 network said, “We are astonished that Maurice Blackburn Lawyers is seeking to prosecute these claims through a press release, pre-empting due process of the court and the proper administration of justice.

“In its filed defence, Network 10 has previously denied the claims of victimisation and adverse action.

“Network 10 intends to seek to strike out the new claims of sex discrimination. The court has established a timetable for that action.

“Network 10 values and supports all employees. Any inference to the contrary is completely false.”

Van Onselen, who is not a litigant in the case, has said “I’m looking forward to Channel 10 defending [the claim], which they are doing but I just can’t speak publicly about it, unfortunately.”