Bullying allegation shakes the ABC as presenter files complaint against national broadcaster before mysteriously disappearing from the air
- Prominent ABC host suddenly disappeared from the airwaves
- Listeners who want to know where the presenter is
A prominent ABC radio presenter who suddenly disappeared from the airwaves weeks ago has filed a complaint against the national broadcaster.
Nicole Chvastek, whose drive program aired for 11 years on regional Victoria, southern NSW and eastern SA, has taken her case to the Fair Work Commission.
In early May, ABC said Chvastek would be back on air by the middle of the month, but it didn’t and listeners want to know where she is.
An ABC spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that a claim had been made to the Fair Work Commission and declined to comment further on the matter.
Prominent ABC radio host Nicole Chvastek (pictured), who suddenly vanished from the airwaves weeks ago, has filed a claim against the national broadcaster
Chvastek’s attorney, Mark Comito, said taking action against her employer was one she “didn’t take lightly.”
“Nicole is a senior journalist and broadcaster and, as you know, has been with the ABC where the Drive program has been presented for at least 10 years,” he said. Guardian Australia.
“She is a well-researched and highly reputable presenter and she wants the case resolved as soon as possible.”
Chvastek’s three-hour show, broadcast from ABC’s Ballarat studio since 2012, was so popular with listeners that they Change.org petition demands that she be brought back into the air.
“So the ABC is now telling us and other supporters of Nicole Chvastek and the nationwide drive that she will be back in her seat in June,” one commenter wrote.
“It has gone from a few weeks to a few months! Why? I hope we are not misled. I am now asking supporters to email the ABC and express your support and reasons for wanting Nicole back on her show.”
The petition has garnered more than 900 signatures and has almost reached its goal of 1,000.
“Now is the time to ramp up support for Nicole Chvastek as she fights for justice for herself,” another listener wrote.
“All the times she’s fought for us, brought relevant issues to the forefront of the conversation, now it’s our turn, we need to fight for her and let the ABC know we want to fix this, we want her back in HER show, and we hate bullies!
In early May, ABC (logo pictured in Melbourne) said Chvastek would be back on the air by mid-month, but it didn’t and listeners asked where she is.
“For the ABC to treat one of their best long-standing presenters this way is unfathomable.”
Another commenter spoke for many, calling on the ABC to “please find a mature, experienced management figure to step in and resolve the situation fairly.”
“Because if you don’t… it will happen again, and again and professional careers will be ruined.”
Chvastek has worked as a news reporter for Channel Seven and was briefly a TV anchor for ABC International’s Asia Pacific news.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Chvastek for comment.