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Albanese then addressed the crowd, saying “[We] were told that wasn’t possible and that’s fine. I respect the organisers’ right to do that,” as the crowd booed him and Williams said that was a lie.
Gallagher told ABC’s Radio National Breakfast that she had wished to speak but decided to come in support after they could not agree on the terms.
“I had wanted to speak, it was a rally in my hometown and I thought that was appropriate, but you know, there was some concern about … the five key asks that were being sought at the rally and you know, a commitment that they were seeking from us, and we weren’t able to reach agreement on how to proceed,” she said.
“In the end, we decided to just walk and attend the rally … as a sign of respect and it’s a sign of solidarity with women around the country.”
Williams told this masthead: “I said at the event, any chance I can convince you guys to set up something with us or to commit to one of the demands, and they said ‘no’,” she said.
“So I made it clear I was going to say all the demands and ask them there – the PM didn’t respond to the five demands, the audience started getting upset.
“He never asked to speak, I asked if he would consider speaking and I was told there wasn’t enough time because the march was so soon.”
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Asked on Seven’s Sunrise if he had said “I’m the prime minister, I run the country”, Albanese would not comment.
“I’m not going to get into that sort of debate,” he said. “People, including Seven, were there for the recording of everything that went on.”
This masthead spoke to several witnesses at the rally but was unable to independently verify the claim he said “I run the country”, and he does not say this in the latest video footage.
Albanese also made a point of congratulating Williams for organising the event.
“The organisers throughout the country deserve credit for organising these rallies. I was happy not to speak, I was happy to speak. It was about raising awareness of the issue [and] a call to action [to] all governments. Quite clearly, we need to do more,” he told Nine’s Today program.
“It was an emotional day for people and I get that [it] is an emotional issue because women were saying yesterday, enough is enough.”
Opposition frontbencher Jane Hume said women were hurting and wanted action, not words.
“They want actions, not platitudes,” Hume told Sky News.
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“Quite frankly, the fact that the prime minister couldn’t read that room speaks volumes in itself.”
Williams said she had not heard anything from Albanese or Gallagher to apologise for causing her distress and she hoped to see more consultation between the government and activist groups on what was needed to address domestic violence.
“If he does think I’ve done a good job, why hasn’t he reached out, why aren’t we meeting soon, why am I not meeting with an adviser?” she said.
“It would be nice to have a response from him to actually figure out what happened, to see if we could make change, because the priority is to resolve violence against women.”
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who was raped in Parliament House on a minister’s couch, posted a comment to Williams’ Instagram sending her love.
“I’m so sorry. This is unacceptable and I am heartbroken you were made to feel so small on a day you accomplished something so incredible. Sending love always,” Higgins wrote.
In 2023, Williams led a nightlife safety campaign, during which she collected more than 20,000 signatures on a petition to the NSW government that resulted in mandated drink-spiking education for venue and bar staff in the state. She also developed Australia’s first sexual assault service for music festivals, which is in place at more than 30 festivals a year.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
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Source Agencies
