AAP Entertainment

Jackie O accused of using threats to get new timeslot

By Tom Wark

Jul 16, 2026

Jackie O (file image) — Jackie O's former employer is fighting claims the radio host was unfairly sacked from the network. -AAP Image

Former breakfast radio host Jackie "O" Henderson attempted to wriggle out of her contract with ARN Media by threatening a workplace harassment complaint, court documents allege.

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The radio giant lodged an amended defence to the claims made by Henderson in her Federal Court lawsuit alleging she was unfairly sacked after refusing to work with co-host Kyle Sandilands.

Henderson claims she was unlawfully sacked from her $100 million hosting gig on KIIS FM earlier in 2026 and is expected to give evidence of subsequent damage to her health and wellbeing.

In the new defence made public by the court on Thursday, ARN argues Henderson's threats to initiate a workplace bullying claim with SafeWork NSW were not made in line with workplace law.

"That Ms Henderson and Henderson Media reserved their right to make a report to SafeWork NSW was not done in good faith and for a proper purpose," the radio giant claims.

Henderson had no intention of meaningfully pursuing a claim with the workplace watchdog because no proceedings were ever filed, the defence says.

"Instead (it was) to provide Ms Henderson and Henderson Media with an alternative daypart which (ARN) was not contractually obliged to provide," the company argues.

ARN says Henderson always had the option of making a formal bullying complaint but would have had to keep working with Sandilands while that was adjudicated, as per her contract.

But evidence from Henderson's manager Gemma O'Neill indicates Henderson's true intention, the defence claims.

"Ms Henderson had already 'resolved' to perform on another show at a different time of the day," the ARN defence says.

Another new portion of ARN's defence argues Henderson should be forced to repay the value of a loan used to purchase shares in ARN because her contract was validly terminated.

The radio hosts' highly public bust-up moved into the legal arena after an exchange between the star pair in February, when Sandilands accused his co-host of being "off with the fairies".

Sandilands settled his case with ARN in June, receiving a $12 million payout.

He has since gone on to announce plans for a new subscription-based show which would employ some of those made redundant when the Kyle and Jackie O show went off air.

Henderson is still seeking the full payout of the remaining balance of her $100 million contract.