ARN Wins Court Ruling to Use Sandilands Evidence in Jackie O $82M Lawsuit

Australia’s Federal Court handed radio broadcaster ARN Media a legal win on Friday, ruling it can use sworn statements from Kyle Sandilands and his manager Bruno Bouchet in its defence against Jackie O Henderson’s $82 million damages claim. Justice Angus Stewart found the affidavits were not restricted from use in Henderson’s separate proceedings because they were filed voluntarily, not under court compulsion. The ruling comes as Henderson pursues damages over her termination from KIIS FM following a February on-air bust-up with Sandilands.

What the court decided

Federal Court Justice Angus Stewart ruled on July 24 that ARN and its subsidiary Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation can rely on affidavits sworn by Sandilands and Bouchet in Henderson’s ongoing case. The judge found the documents were not subject to restrictions preventing their use in separate proceedings because Sandilands’ legal team had filed them voluntarily on the same day he signed a deed of release settling his own dispute with ARN. Stewart noted there was “no explanation as to why the affidavits were nevertheless filed.” Sandilands’ lawyers opposed the application but did not appear at Friday’s hearing.

Henderson’s damages claim and the February incident

Henderson is seeking at least AUD 82 million in damages, alleging she was unlawfully dismissed from her reported AUD 100 million contract. Her claim stems from a February 2026 on-air confrontation during which Sandilands publicly criticised her, leaving her visibly distressed. She then told ARN management she could no longer continue hosting the breakfast program alongside Sandilands. Both presenters were subsequently terminated by the broadcaster, ending a partnership that had lasted over 25 years.

Sandilands’ separate settlement

Sandilands launched his own legal action against ARN after both hosts were dismissed. He reached a settlement worth AUD 12.09 million over three years in June, which was finalised on the same day the affidavits were filed. ARN terminated Sandilands’ contract in mid-March following a two-week deadline to address what the company called “serious misconduct” against Henderson. His settlement remains separate from Henderson’s ongoing proceedings.

What happens next

Henderson’s case continues in Federal Court, with a trial expected later this year. The ruling strengthens ARN’s defence by allowing it to present Sandilands’ sworn account of events during the breakdown between the two hosts. ARN has consistently denied Henderson’s allegations, asserting that her complaints and subsequent actions were not aligned with established workplace protocols. The affidavits are understood to contain details about the deterioration of the relationship between KIIS FM’s two biggest stars.

Final Thoughts

The court ruling gives ARN a tactical advantage as it prepares to defend Henderson’s multimillion-dollar claim. With Sandilands’ evidence now admissible, ARN can present his account of the February incident and the circumstances leading to both dismissals. The case underscores the high stakes in Australian radio, where the collapse of a 25-year partnership has triggered separate legal battles worth over AUD 94 million combined.

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