Sheryn Omeri KC acting for internationally-renowned pianist, Jayson Gillham, in major political belief protection case

Cloisters’ Sheryn Omeri KC has been instructed on behalf of internationally renowned Australian-British pianist, Jayson Gillham, who performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on Sunday 11 August 2024. On that occasion, Mr Gillham performed a piece called “Witness” which the composer had dedicated to the journalists of Gaza. In introducing the piece on stage, Mr Gillham referred to the number of Palestinian journalists who have been killed reporting on the war in Gaza and to some killings being deliberate. Orchestra management refused to allow Mr Gillham to perform at a subsequent concert at which he had been scheduled to perform, on Thursday 15 August.

Proceedings have today been issued in the Federal Court of Australia. The case is the first of its kind and will test the extent of political belief protection in Victorian and Australian Federal laws.

The full news report can be read here.