A government-owned organisation has been accused by two female air-traffic controllers of allowing “extreme” bullying.

A court action against the agency is seeking more than $1 million for each of the women for sexual discrimination and bullying spanning over five years .

The agency, which provides air traffic control management and related services to the aviation industry, was the women’s long-time employer.

“What the proceedings, I think, will do is to shed some light on a workplace culture that has been extraordinarily hostile,” the lawyer for the women said.

He said they are also going to file a separate action in the Human Rights Commission.

A spokesman for the agency said they are taking the matter seriously and will respond to the claims in due course.

“Our investigations have only just been completed and the matter is in the hands of respective legal advisors,” he said.