Royal prank DJ leaves SCA

One of the radio DJs behind the infamous Royal prank scandal, Mel Greig, has “amicably” settled her dispute with Southern Cross Austereo and parted ways with the company.

In July Greig filed a claim against SCA with Fair Work Australia, accusing the media company of “failing to maintain a safe workplace”.

In the statement (see in full below), which names December 31 as Greig’s final day with the company, SCA said the parties have “amicably resolved all aspects of their dispute”.

“Mel Greig wishes to make it clear that as an announcer she was not responsible for the decision to broadcast the hoax call,” the statement said.

“Prior to the call being broadcast she made suggestions for changes to be made to the recording of the call. 2Day FM decided that the call should be broadcast without alteration.”

Greig has been off-air since the prank in which she and her co-host Michael Christian tricked nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who later committed suicide, to patch them through to the London hospital ward where Kate Middleton was being treated for morning sickness.

Christian, who has returned to air with SCA, was crowned Australia’s Next Top Jock in an internal SCA competition.

Meanwhile, SCA’s dispute with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) continues. The broadcaster lodged an appeal to have the media watchdog’s investigation into the legality of the royal hoax stopped last month. The appeal came two weeks after the courts dismissed SCA’s arguments.

The full statement:

"Southern Cross Austereo and Mel Greig today announced that they have amicably resolved all aspects of their dispute arising from the royal hoax call which was broadcast by 2Day FM in December last year.

Southern Cross Austereo has at all times taken complete responsibility for the hoax call and the company maintains its view that the recording and broadcast of the call was not unlawful. Southern Cross Austereo greatly regrets the unforeseeable tragic aftermath of the call and the company and all of its people remain deeply saddened by the death of Jacintha Saldanha. Southern Cross Austereo has contributed a substantial amount to a trust which was recently established to assist Ms Saldanha’s family. Mel Greig also wishes to pass on her personal condolences and regrets to the Saldanha family.

Mel Greig wishes to make it clear that as an announcer she was not responsible for the decision to broadcast the hoax call. Prior to the call being broadcast she made suggestions for changes to be made to the recording of the call. 2Day FM decided that the call should be broadcast without alteration.

Mel Greig has resigned her employment with Southern Cross Austereo and will finish with the company on 31 December 2013. Neither Southern Cross Austereo nor Mel Greig will be making any further public comment about her employment with the company. Ms Greig intends to provide a statement to the UK Coroner’s Inquest and Southern Cross Austereo will continue to fully co-operate with the Inquest. "

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