PM needs to be accountable for behaviour at anti-domestic violence rally, activists say
Anti-domestic violence activists say the prime minister should be held accountable over an interaction at a rally held over the weekend in Canberra.
Anthony Albanese was accused by organisers of the No More rally of lying about being denied the opportunity to speak at the event on Sunday.
Rally organiser Sarah Williams became visibly distressed when the prime minister took to the stage and announced he had asked to speak but was told “that wasn’t possible”.
The interaction has attracted criticism from organisers and rally attendees, who claimed he lacked compassion and humility in front of a vulnerable crowd in which many had been impacted by domestic violence.
Rhiannon, who was involved in coordinating the event, told 2GBs Ben Fordham organisers wanted the prime minister to attend but he was unaware of the disconnect between his behaviour and the response from the crowd.
“The body language he used, the eye rolls,” she said.
“He put Sarah in a corner and it’s just unfair.
“I understand he had an emotional response, emotions were running high that day.”
Footage has emerged from the rally that showed the prime minister shrug and ask Williams: “Do you want me to speak or not? I’m the prime minister.”
Williams had asked Albanese and Gallagher to commit to five key demands but the audience began to heckle when they declined to do so.
Tensions escalated when Albanese claimed organisers didn’t want him to speak, prompting Williams to respond, “That’s a lie, that’s a full out lie,” and burst into tears.
Rhiannon told 2GB while she did not expect every politician to be perfect, she was critical of his conduct.
“He’s the leader of this country, he does need to be held accountable,” she said.
“There were so many vulnerable people in the crowd, victims, he just approached it all wrong.”
Ethan, who was also at the rally, said neither Gallagher nor Albanese checked on Williams after the incident.
“The whole way he conducted himself was surprising,” he said.
Albanese was again asked about his comments and behaviour at the rally on ABC Radio today.
“I hope people can see the video… and can draw their own conclusions,” he said.
“The recording is there for all to see, including the comments as I went to speak and whether people thought I should speak or not, it was not about that.
“I was happy to not speak. I was happy to speak. I am concerned about the issue.”
