[Israel] Folau claims his contract was unfairly terminated because of his religious beliefs.
Legal experts have said the coming court battle is a “test case” that will establish what holds sway before the courts — an employer’s rights via an employment contract or their employee’s freedom of religious expression.
It is expected to set a precedent for anyone who posts to social media something that is in conflict with his or her code of conduct, be it with an employer or another organisation such as a university or sporting club.
The burden of proof in this case will lie with Rugby Australia to establish that it did not terminate Folau’s contract based on his religious beliefs, but rather that the decision was purely an employment matter.
“Our conciliation before the Fair Work Commission did not resolve the matters between us.” Sacked former rugby union international, Israel Folau will today launch court proceedings for unfair dismissal against Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs: https://t.co/lEE2JHPOgO pic.twitter.com/MVKVTHfwuy
— ABC Religion&Ethics (@ABCReligion) August 1, 2019