Senior Seven Producer Faces Serious Allegations in Federal Court Battle
One of the Seven Network's most experienced producers has been accused of engaging in sexist, aggressive and inappropriate behaviour towards female colleagues at the broadcaster. Matthew McGrane, who has worked for Seven for nearly twenty-five years, finds himself at the centre of these allegations as part of an ongoing legal dispute in the Federal Court.
Long-Standing Career and Current Role
McGrane's most recent position saw him serving as supervising producer on the flagship Sunrise breakfast programme, working alongside hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington. His extensive career at the network spans almost a quarter of a century, establishing him as one of Seven's most senior production figures.
Legal Proceedings and Injury Background
The allegations have emerged within court documents filed by Seven Network as part of its defence against McGrane's lawsuit. The producer is taking legal action under the Fair Work Act following a serious incident in October 2023 when he fell from his wheelchair while travelling home from work, suffering significant injuries including a detached triceps muscle and fractured forearm.
According to Seven's court submissions, while McGrane was absent from work recovering from his injuries, the network received multiple complaints from staff members under his supervision regarding his professional conduct.
Specific Allegations of Inappropriate Behaviour
The court documents detail numerous claims about McGrane's behaviour towards colleagues, particularly focusing on his interactions with female staff members. Among the most serious allegations are claims that McGrane made inappropriate comments about women's appearance, including reportedly telling television presenters 'you look fat, that's disgusting' and suggesting they should 'wear a more low-cut top'.
Junior colleagues allegedly reported that McGrane 'frequently exhibited aggressive behaviour, including swearing, shouting and harshly dismissing the ideas of other employees'. The documents further state that several younger female producers he supervised claimed he often left them in tears through his conduct.
Allegations Regarding Senior Management
Seven's defence also includes claims about McGrane's behaviour towards senior management. The network alleges that during a telephone conversation with Sarah Stinson, Seven's director of morning television, McGrane spoke in such an 'aggressive and inappropriate' manner that it left Stinson 'choked up, unable to speak, brought Ms Stinson to tears, and otherwise caused Ms Stinson to feel extremely distressed'.
Stinson, who oversees Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show, was reportedly reduced to tears during this exchange according to the court filings.
Previous Media Appearance and Network Response
McGrane featured prominently in an August 2024 investigative report by journalist Louise Milligan titled 'Don't Speak', which examined allegations of bullying, harassment and poor treatment of women at Seven Network. In that programme, McGrane stated: 'Everyone knows TV is all smoke and mirrors, but under the surface it can be very dark.'
Seven has accused McGrane of breaching his employment obligations by appearing on the ABC's Four Corners programme and bringing the network into public disrepute. The network claims McGrane considered the interview as an 'insurance policy' and a way to 'get millions' from Seven.
Workplace Accommodation Dispute
The legal case also involves disputes about workplace arrangements for McGrane, who has been paraplegic for more than twenty years due to transverse myelitis, a rare inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord. Following Seven's studio relocation from Martin Place to Eveleigh in mid-2023, wheelchair-accessible buses on McGrane's route home to Surry Hills stopped running on weeknights at 11pm.
McGrane claims he reached an agreement with Sunrise executive producer Sean Power that he could leave the Eveleigh offices around 9:20pm to complete his shift at home. However, Seven states in its defence that no formal arrangement existed for split shifts and that no Sunrise employee was rostered to perform such shifts.
Compensation Claim and Network Position
McGrane's workers compensation claim was denied after insurer GIO found his injury did not arise in the course of his employment. The producer alleges he was passed over for promotion to executive producer of Sunrise and that Seven took adverse action against him because of his workers compensation claim and physical disability.
In response to the allegations, a Seven Network spokesperson previously stated: 'Seven rejects the claims made by Mr McGrane and will defend its position in this matter. As this is now before the courts, we are unable to comment further.'
Current Status and Legal Proceedings
McGrane is seeking compensation and civil penalties in his Federal Court case, claiming Seven left him feeling upset, distressed and humiliated by reducing his duties following his accident. His lawyers have declined to comment on the specific allegations of sexist and inappropriate behaviour towards women.
The case continues with no next court date currently set, leaving both parties awaiting further legal proceedings in this complex workplace dispute that combines allegations of inappropriate conduct with issues of workplace accommodation and employment rights.
