Channel Nine Denies News Bosss Promise to Sherlock

Channel Nine presenter Amber 's unfair dismissal claims against her old network over her axing last November have been challenged in court.

The veteran journalist has alleged that Nine's Head of News, Fiona Dear, told Sherlock only months earlier that her job was safe. 

In documents presented to the Federal Court on Wednesday, Nine said that a 'coffee meeting' had taken place between Sherlock and Dear.

But they denied Sherlock's allegation that Dear had told the Today show presenter that she would be at the network 'forever, we'll wheel you and [Nine News anchor Pete Overton] out of here.'

'During the coffee meeting, the applicant and Ms Dear discussed publicity opportunities in ,' Nine said in the court documents.

'The only reference about other employees presenting on the evening news was made by the applicant, not Ms Dear, in the context of the applicant's request to have updated headshots taken.'

Nine also denied Sherlock's claim that the network had fired her because she was about to .

Nine's counterclaim was that Sherlock was made redundant from her regular gig as a weather presenter in Sydney because there was no 'ongoing operational need' for the role.

No longer offering the weather presenter position as a dedicated job, Nine said that the gig was then split between several presenters as part of their regular duties.

These included Nine regulars, Sophie Walsh, 40, Maggie Raworth, 33, and Kate Creedon, 39. 

In her statement of claim, Sherlock notes her duties were handed to TV presenters because they were 'at least ten years younger' than her. 

Nine also claimed that Sherlock was offered roles at regional stations, including Newcastle, Tamworth and Port Macquarie, after she was made redundant - but the journo showed 'no interest' in redeployment, the network said.

But she was informed via Zoom two days later that there were no options available in the Sydney newsroom and that her employment would be terminated. 

The documents from Nine also said they did not accept Sherlock's claim that she was a 'well-liked and popular member of the news division's team.'