Arabic version: مديرة الأبحاث السابقة في مجلس السرطان في كوينزلاند تزعم تعرضها للتنمر

According to ABC News, former Cancer Council Queensland director of research Sandi Hayes has alleged she was wrongfully dismissed after disputes with chief executive Matt Gardiner and claims of bullying and inappropriate behaviour. The ongoing Federal Circuit Court lawsuit names the council, Mr Gardiner and recently appointed chairman Todd Everitt.

Cancer Council Queensland and Mr Gardiner are defending the case. Court defence filings said an investigation did not substantiate allegations raised against Mr Gardiner and another person at the organisation. The filings alleged Dr Hayes had been hostile and disrespectful during an August meeting with nine executives, and said her relationship with Mr Gardiner had deteriorated to a point that created a health and safety risk.

Dr Hayes’s filings said she raised concerns about Mr Gardiner’s communication, integrity, trust and equity issues. In October last year, she was told that communications with Mr Gardiner should temporarily go through the human resources chief by email. The defence said the direction followed medical advice and was intended to protect both executives’ psychosocial safety. After mediation attempts, Dr Hayes was dismissed in February, according to the report.

The case follows a period of internal concerns at the charity, which supports cancer patients through counselling, accommodation, a wig service and research. Cancer Council Queensland said it provided 26,575 bed nights at accommodation centres last year, up 8.6 per cent, and financial counselling to 287 people, up 23 per cent. It reported staff turnover of 31 per cent in the last financial year, down from 42 per cent in 2025, and said its latest profit was $3.24 million after a $4.1 million loss in financial year 2025.