Wardrobe slashed, harbour views at risk, court documents reveal.

More star details behind the scenes emerged this week in documents released as part of the Lisa Wilkinson / 10 legal spat, as part of a defamation case brought by Bruce Lerhmann.

Details have spilled into various press articles in recent days.

On June 7, 2023, Network 10 CEO Beverley McGarvey forwarded head of litigation Tasha Smithies an email that she sent to Nick Fordham, Ms Wilkinson’s celebrity agent.

“I have just spoken to Lisa to check in to see how she was given how challenging it has been for her this week,’’ Ms McGarvey said.

“As you are well aware she is really not in a great place, and I hope she is taking some professional mental health care? Let me know if she is not currently obtaining ongoing professional support, and we can assist in providing her access to our independent, confidential support services.

“She mentioned her legal fees, and it seems that she is alarmed by the amount.

“We objected at the outset to Lisa’s choice of counsel but have nevertheless confirmed that we will reimburse Lisa for those legal costs incurred by her that 10 is required to reimburse. As you know, these arrangements are in discussion between external lawyers who are best placed to resolve the full extent of 10’s obligations.”

In a highly emotional call last year Wilkinson blamed the network for failing to stop the bad press that she believed had destroyed her reputation.

“She was almost immediately upset and started talking about her legal fees and how she would have to sell her house,” McGarvey wrote in a note to colleagues in June 2023.

“… She is being paid by us on full salary and lives in a lavish multimillion-dollar home with a pool and a tennis court and harbour views, so I hope this is not a real risk.”

While media outlets are typically obliged to indemnify their journalists for liabilities arising out of their employment, including covering any defamation damages award, a dispute arose about whether this would extend to paying for Wilkinson’s separate team.

Documents also revealed Wilkinson’s $100,000-a-year clothing allowance was slashed to $40,000 after she was dumped from The Project.

Despite the private details becoming public knowledge, this week was a win for Wilkinson.

This week the Federal Court found she was within her rights to hire separate legal representation, but is yet to rule on how much of her fees must be paid by 10. Bruce Lehrmann is suing 10 and Wilkinson for defamation over The Project interview.

Her Logies acceptance speech which drew national headlines had been approved by Network 10.

The court also heard that McGarvey removed Wilkinson from The Project and promised her an interview series, which never eventuated.

Fordham wrote to McGarvey to say Wilkinson expected the calibre of interviewees to be like “Michelle Obama, world leaders and A+ list celebrities”.

“Lisa’s contract is for work on The Project, and to soften the very real blow this change will have on Lisa’s standing and reputation in the industry, we insist that Lisa’s future celebrity interviews, stories and coverage of international events appear on The Project.

“We would also require Lisa to be guaranteed major world-event postings for The Project covering things as next year’s coronation of King Charles. As you have mentioned, Lisa shines on the road.”

Justice Michael Lee said the judgment in the Lehrmann defamation trial was nearing completion and would be delivered in March or April.

Source: news.com.au, Guardian Australia SMH