Protest at Victoria’s Parliament House Leads to Dropped Assault Charge
A 50-year-old woman who took part in a pro-Palestine protest at Victoria’s Parliament House has been fined $500 after pleading guilty to failing to follow police directions. A separate assault charge against her was dropped mid-trial.
Key Events
On May 7, 2024, Alicia Gardiner joined a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators at Parliament House in Victoria. The group chanted and held signs from the public gallery, disrupting then-treasurer Tim Pallas' budget speech.
During the protest, Gardiner was charged with assault after allegedly twisting the nipple of a tour guide. That charge was formally dropped on April 22, 2026.
Gardiner pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of failing to immediately comply with police directions to leave the parliament. She was fined $500, and no conviction was recorded.
Court Proceedings
During a contested hearing, the tour guide testified that Gardiner twisted her nipple, causing a sharp stabbing pain. Gardiner's lawyer argued that the actor was knocked into the staffer and reached out only to brace herself.
The prosecution dropped the assault charge after two days of testimony. Police bodycam footage of the protest was subsequently released by the court.
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