Lawless turns up at Salinger hearing

The Employment Relations Authority today reserved its decision in a case taken by scientist Jim Salinger against his sacking for talking to the media without approval.

Dr Salinger is seeking compensation through the authority after claiming he was unjustifiably dismissed by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) in April.

The week long hearing concluded today about 4pm.

The final day of the hearing heard from one final witness for Niwa, authority member Leon Robinson took a site visit to Niwa offices and both sides presented their closing submissions, Dr Salinger's lawyer Alex Hope told NZPA.

Actress Lucy Lawless, understood to be an acquaintance of Dr Salinger's, turned up to watch the hearing today.

Niwa sacked Dr Salinger, a scientist of 35 years who had worked for the organisation since its inception in 1992, over three alleged breaches of its code regarding media conduct.

Dr Salinger has admitted breaching the policy with a Radio New Zealand interview in February this year.

But he denied he breached the policy over two contacts he had with TVNZ this year.

Dr Salinger is not seeking his job back but wants compensation for lost income up to 2012, $104,000 lost superannuation money and $50,000 for humiliation and loss of dignity.

- NZPA