26/06/2025

The legal action taken by journalist Antoinette Lattouf highlights the need for a national human rights act in Australia to protect free speech and provide a clear legal basis for challenging restrictions on speech.

In a decision handed down on 25 June, the court found that the ABC unlawfully terminated Ms Lattouf amid complaints about her views on the Israel-Gaza war. Ms Lattouf has been awarded $70,000 in compensation.

“We welcome this decision which reinforces the importance of freedom of speech in our community,” said Mr Greg Barns SC, spokesperson for the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA).

“This litigation however draws attention to the current lack of a constitutional right to freedom of speech in Australia.

“A federal human rights act would ensure that those who wield power such as employers are subject to a code of conduct that would prevent them from exercising this power in a way that infringes upon people’s rights.

“There are many examples of significant litigation where breaches of fundamental rights were at the heart of the case. In so many of these cases, a federal human rights act would have prevented litigation or ensured a better result.”