Judge declines Spiteri delay
A Federal Court judge has denied former Nine Network reporter Christine Spiteri an extension in her case against the broadcaster, retaining the court date of next Friday.
Ms Spiteri, who is already seeking damages of more than $500,000 in relation to breach of contract and Trade Practices Act claims, has sought to add an unlawful discrimination complaint after it had been terminated by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
The case was mentioned briefly in the Federal Court in Sydney today.
Spiteri’s lawyer John Laxon said she now wished to consolidate the unlawful discrimination claim into the Federal Court action, telling the judge both matters had the same “factual matrix”.
He asked for an adjournment of next Friday’s hearing on the basis that when the discrimination claim was added to the case, Nine also was likely to ask to have that thrown out.
“My client only has limited resources and is up against a major organisation …” he said.
He said given the claims were based on the same facts, it would be appropriate for just one strike-out application to be heard.
But Justice Edmonds said he was not prepared to grant an adjournment, confirming next Friday’s hearing.
Nine has previously stated the claims were “mischievous” and would rigorously defend them.
Source: The Age
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