Overview
- Police withdrew the assault charge on Wednesday at Melbourne Magistrates' Court and Magistrate Malcolm Thomas fined Alicia Gardiner $500 without conviction for failing or refusing to leave when lawfully directed.
- The dropped count had alleged she grabbed and twisted a female staffer’s breast during a May 7, 2024 protest that disrupted the treasurer’s budget speech at Victoria’s Parliament House.
- Body-worn camera footage played in court showed protesters chanting “free free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea” as officers escorted them through the building.
- The complainant told the court she felt a sharp, knife-like pain and a witness said she looked shaken, while Gardiner’s lawyer said any contact was accidental during a crush and argued the evidence did not prove assault.
- After the plea, her lawyer opposed releasing the police footage to media over career harm concerns and acknowledged Gardiner twice banged on the chamber door during the protest.