The ABC regional broadcaster Nicole Chvastek, who disappeared from the airwaves several weeks ago, has lodged a bullying claim against the ABC in the Fair Work Commission.
As host of Victoria’s regional statewide drive program for more than 11 years, Chvastek has been missed by some loyal listeners who have been petitioning the ABC to bring her back. The drive show reaches every regional area across Victoria, southern New South Wales and eastern South Australia.
Guardian Australia asked ABC radio two weeks ago where she was and a spokesperson said she was “on leave until mid-May”.
But on Tuesday an ABC spokesperson confirmed she was on leave pending a Fair Work Commission claim.
Chvastek’s lawyer, Mark Comito of Stal Employment Lawyers, said his client “did not take lightly” the decision to launch legal action against the ABC but he could not go into detail about her claim.
“Nicole is a senior journalist and presenter and has been employed, as you know, for some period of time at the ABC presenting the Drive program for at least 10 years,” Comito told Guardian Australia.
“She is a well-researched and very reputable presenter and she wants the matter resolved as soon as possible.”
Comito said she wanted the matter resolved quickly so she can return to broadcasting her program.
A former producer for Jon Faine on ABC Melbourne, Chvastek has broadcast live for three hours daily from the ABC’s Ballarat studio since 2012.
One listener started a petition calling her for her reinstatement.
LIVE BROADCAST: @HelenHaines1 & @steveforindi are live with @nicolechvastek from The Cube in #Wodonga #indi #indivotes #auspol #auspol19 #australiavotes2019 pic.twitter.com/rU3hCsq5ty
— Ashlee Aldridge (@Ashlee_Aldridge) May 16, 2019
“So the ABC is now telling us and other supporters of Nicole Chvastek and statewide drive that she will be back in her seat in June,” the petition said. “It’s gone from a few weeks to a few months! Why? I hope we are not being misled. I am now asking supporters to email the ABC and express your support and reasons why you want Nicole back on her show.”
Another excellent interview ...with @nicolechvastek pic.twitter.com/rTdlqGr8I8
— Sarah Ferguson (@FergusonNews) November 12, 2018
Another listener said: “Nicole has integrity as a presenter and knows the regional issues from professional and personal experience.”
Chvastek is a former Seven network news reporter and TV anchor for ABC International’s Asia Pacific news during the south Asian tsunami crisis.
The drive program is being presented by Warwick Long out of Shepparton while the Ballarat studio is being refurbished, a spokesperson said.
The Fair Work Commissioner Tim Lee will hear the application for orders to stop bullying against the ABC in Melbourne on Thursday.
