The Fair Work Commission has ordered Israel Folau and Rugby Australia sit down face to face, in a last ditch bid to resolve their fight over the star player’s $5 million contract.
RA tore up the Wallaby fullback’s contract over his anti-LGBTQI+ Instagram post in April that stated “hell awaits” homosexuals. He was eventually found guilty of a high-level code of conduct breach after a three-day code of conduct hearing.
Fair Work Commissioner vice-president Adam Hatcher ruled on Thursday the case be set down for conciliation on June 28 in Sydney.
The two parties will now have to come together and resolve the matter or it will proceed to a hearing.
Folau’s lawyers filed an application with the Fair Work Commission to deal with his unfair termination dispute. He is seeking $5 million in lost earning, plus “substantial” damages.
Folau claims his contract was terminated for expressing religious beliefs, whereas RA has staunchly defended the sacking and claim it was for a breach of employment conditions.
The 30-year-old sent an email to all 10 RA directors seeking an explanation as to how details of his sworn testimony were published in News Corp last week.