In a recent legal battle, former Port Adelaide premiership-winning captain and TV presenter Warren Tredrea has lost an unfair dismissal case against Channel 9. Tredrea had sought almost $6 million in lost wages from the network after being sacked from his role as a TV sports presenter on 9News Adelaide in 2021 following a highly publicized Covid-19 vaccine controversy.
Tredrea's dismissal came as a result of breaching the broadcaster's vaccine mandate for staff during the pandemic. He had demanded the remainder of his 2022 salary, amounting to $176,458, as well as an additional $5.77 million for potential lost income over the next 30 years. However, Channel 9 countered that Tredrea's refusal to get vaccinated was not the sole reason for his termination, citing reputational damage and work performance issues, including repeated on-air mistakes.
Justice Geoffrey Kennett, in his ruling, acknowledged that Tredrea may have had a stronger case if it solely revolved around his refusal to receive the Covid shot. However, the other arguments presented by Channel 9 were found to be valid. The court heard how Tredrea had expressed his views on Covid-19 and vaccinations on a local radio station, which were not deemed “serious misconduct” by Justice Kennett.
While Tredrea's views were not considered shocking or obscene, they were in direct conflict with his employer. Channel 9 Adelaide's news director, Jeremy Pudney, expressed concern about Tredrea's opinions and their factual errors, stating that discussing such a hot-button issue was not constructive. The court also noted previous documentation and performance reviews that highlighted concerns about Tredrea's on-air delivery and high stumble rate.
Judge Kennett concluded that terminating Tredrea's contract was a reasonable decision and a bona fide attempt by Channel 9 to protect its interests. Tredrea expressed disappointment with the judgment and mentioned the possibility of considering an appeal.
As Tredrea contemplates his next steps, it remains to be seen how this ruling will impact future cases involving similar circumstances.
