ABC Pilbara journalist Tangiora Hinaki reveals ‘awful’ experience and ‘bullying’

A second ex-ABC journalist has lashed out at the national broadcaster — alleging she had an “awful experience” and was “bullied” out of her job. Tangiora Hinaki, who was once employed with ABC Pilbara, claims her concerns occurred while working in the same regional city as former reporter Susan Standen — who is suing the ABC over alleged breaches of her employment contract. “Susan Standen, standing up for her rights,” Hinaki posted, alongside a screenshot of The West Australian’s report last week on Ms Standen. “I too had an awful experience with the ABC Pilbara who I worked with for eight years. “Always on call to do cyclone coverage with a growing family of eight and then treated poorly. “Travelled from Roebourne to Karratha for eight years. I loved my job but was not valued as a local employee which led to my decision to leave.” Hinaki, whose employment profile says she worked as a casual content maker for ABC and also founded Kick Up Dust Productions, based in Roebourne, said: “One day I will tell my story.” She went on further to clarify that the alleged bullying she experienced was in “the last year to two years that I was bullied and felt pressure and there were many managers who supported me (before) that,” she said. The West last week revealed Ms Standen is suing the ABC over an $18,000 pay cut she claims happened despite being overworked. In documents filed with the Federal Circuit Court, Ms Standen claimed she was discriminated against and had her employment contract breached. Her case came after ABC cut allowances last year that “helped staff with the inflated cost of housing in mining areas”. Ms Standen, who had been working for ABC since 2013, said at the time of her pay cut she was required to take on additional work and swap to a 5.30am roster. After presenting medical certificates advising a roster change would be “detrimental” to her existing conditions and taking personal leave for the issues, ABC requested a meeting with her doctor. It is alleged Ms Standen’s medical issues arose from “being overworked, the stress and exhaustion from the long-distance travel, and insomnia caused by anxiety from working in a high turnover environment where adaption to change is constantly needed.” During an annual appraisal in April 2021, her employer allegedly said she had underperformed by only meeting a quarter of an online story quota. Ms Standen claimed her medical conditions affected her ability to perform and that her employer had “taken adverse action against her by putting her on a performance plan.” She then allegedly made requests for voluntary redundancy which were “laughed” at by management. The ABC did not comment on Hinaki’s claims.