Qantas is seeking to block the publication of the memoir by company speechwriter Lucinda Holdforth amid claims she is exploiting the airline's confidential company information for personal gain.
Qantas has granted an interim injunction to prevent Holdforth publishing her manuscript, Fighting Words.
"Senior staff in all companies are aware that discussion and internal documents covering a range of topics are confidential to that company," Qantas said in a statement. "Ms Holdforth ignored that duty to keep such material within Qantas. She has written a manuscript seeking to exploit, for personal gain, confidential internal information that she was privy to. Qantas had no option but to take action to prevent Ms Holdforth from breaching her obligations."
Justice Patricia Bergin has urged Qantas and Holdforth to resolve the matter outside court. Holdforth's lawyer claims she is willing to negotiate and amend her manuscript. Holdforth is still employed by the airline but this case may affect that status going forward.