New details have been revealed of the legal stoush between the Liberal Party's ACT division and its director Adam Wojtonis, who has been on leave since February and alleges "retaliatory conduct" against him.
In a letter from his solicitor to the division's management committee, seen by The Canberra Times, Mr Wojtonis alleged that he had been unlawfully punished for raising concerns about internal party matters.
"Mr Wojtonis contends that making [the] complaint, given the responsibilities of his contracted role, he exercised a 'workplace right'," the letter said.
"In retaliation for him exercising these workplace rights, he has been subjected to a series of adverse actions in his employment, culminating in the current unjustified performance management process."
Canberra Liberals president Adam Morris faced questions about the dispute at a divisional council meeting last weekend.
It is understood that members were told by the executive that the division had authorised $145,000 to be spent on settling the claim, plus $20,000 in legal fees.
In the letter, Mr Wojtonis offered to settle for $55,000 in compensation for the "hurt, humiliation and distress" caused by the division's actions, along with his legal costs, leave and superannuation entitlements.
The settlement offer included a deed with "mutual releases and mutual non-disparagement" clauses, but it's understood these remain subject to negotiation.
Mr Wojtonis' solicitor said in the letter that if a settlement was not reached, his client intended to make a general protections claim under workplace laws in the Fair Work Commission and/or the Federal Court.
The director's salary is understood to be in the vicinity of $200,000.
Mr Wojtonis had accrued a significant amount of time in lieu.
In February this year, the letter said, the management committee resolved (at a meeting that excluded Mr Wojtonis) to performance manage him, after he sought to appoint an external lawyer to investigate complaints about Mr Morris.
Those complaints related to "possible conflicts of interest" due to Mr Morris holding the position while being married to Canberra Liberals deputy leader and member of the Legislative Assembly Deborah Morris.
The pair denies any such conflict.
In the letter, Mr Wojtonis through his solicitor alleged that Mr Morris "sought to have [him] dismissed from his employment" at a management committee meeting in December 2025.
It said Mr Wojtonis had raised concerns about matters that could put the party in breach of electoral laws and its own constitution in 2024 and 2025.
Mr Wojtonis started personal leave in February "arising from distress associated with [the division's] actions," the letter said. "He also filed a workers' compensation claim."
The letter noted that the director had received a positive performance review and pay rise in December 2024, 11 months into his role. It says his employment "unfolded without issue until around August 2024."
A Canberra Liberals spokesperson declined to "comment on employment matters."
"The processes you refer to are in the final stages," the spokesperson said.
"Our team is focused on fighting bad Labor governments in the ACT and federally who are making it impossible for businesses and families to make ends meet."
