Ousted Liberal Moira Deeming said she was motivated to be “brave” and soldier on with her plans to attend the Let Women Speak rally when concerns about violence breaking out were raised.
The court heard Deeming had alerted parliament in the days before the rally that police and security had raised concerns about threats. Deeming said the alerts related to counter-protesters and she did not think those at Let Women Speak should “somehow be blamed for inciting violence against themselves”.
She earlier accepted she booked the event on the steps of parliament and paid the upfront costs for security and sound.
Deeming was also asked in cross-examination if she was aware that a member of far-right group the Proud Boys had previously attended and spoken at a Let Women Speak rally in Miami alongside UK anti-trans rights activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull.
Deeming told the court she was not aware of this.
Neo-Nazis were among several groups of protesters that stood outside parliament on March 18, 2023. Deeming on Tuesday told the court she was not aware neo-Nazis were there until they were escorted away by police.
Sue Chrysanthou, SC, for Deeming, earlier told the court that they were an entirely separate group.
Source: 12ft