Source : Perth Now news
An actor has been accused of “breaking the girl code” by grabbing and twisting a Parliament House worker’s breast during a protest.
Alicia Gardiner, known for her roles in the television series Offspring and Deadloch, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the alleged assault at Victoria’s Parliament House.
The court was told Gardiner, 50, was among a group of pro-Palestine protesters who crashed the treasurer’s budget speech on May 7, 2024, chanting and holding signs in the public gallery.
As they were escorted out, it’s alleged Gardiner tried to enter the legislative chamber but was stopped by two workers blocking the door.
Gardiner is accused of pushing one of the workers before grabbing and twisting the woman’s left breast.
The complainant, who asked not to be named, told the court she felt a sharp pain like a knife and was in a state of shock.
“My view was she broke the girl code and twisted my breast,” the complainant said in her evidence.
“You don’t do that.”
The woman told the court Gardiner had stared at her intently before bending her head down and coming at her with her hands up.
The complainant admitted she put her own hands up to stop Gardiner from entering the legislative chamber.
“I had my hand on her and then I had the sharp pain,” the complainant told the court.
In body-worn camera footage played to the court, the woman told police immediately after the incident that her initial reaction was to hit Gardiner but she “managed not to”.
Gardiner has denied the allegations, with her lawyer Angeline Centrone telling the court there was insufficient evidence for the magistrate to find there was an unlawful assault.
Gardiner is expected to give evidence on Wednesday afternoon.
