Channel Nine denies explosive claim news boss promised Amber Sherlock would 'be here forever'

Channel Nine presenter Amber Sherlock'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 Sydney,' 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 turn 50, with the presenter reaching the birthday milestone on December 1.

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.'

In her statement of claim, Sherlock said that two months after her one-on-one meeting with Dear, on November 10, news director Michael Best and an HR employee told Sherlock her role was redundant.

She claims she had 'faithfully and diligently served Nine' for 18 years, was publicly recognised for her work, and that it was no coincidence her retrenchment took place three weeks before her 50th birthday.

The documents claimed Sherlock 'developed extensive broadcasting experience on Nine's television bulletins, including Today, Today Extra, Early News, Morning News, Afternoon News, Nine News, and the Late News' between 2007 and 2025'.

They also said she developed experience as a writer and producer of television bulletins and weather bulletins, had experience in field reporting, and was a 'well-liked and popular member of the news division's team'.

She is seeking rulings that Nine discriminated against her based on age and sex, and that it contravened the terms of her award.

Sherlock is seeking $100,000 in damages over her sacking, which she claims hurt her reputation and career.

She is also claiming $293,154 for economic loss and asking $30,000 for each breach of the Fair Work Act, with the court set to determine each contravention.