“I had needed to talk, it was a rally in my hometown and I believed that was applicable, however you recognize, there was some concern about … the 5 key asks that had been being sought on the rally and you recognize, a dedication that they had been looking for from us, and we weren’t in a position to attain settlement on how you can proceed,” she stated.
“Ultimately, we determined to simply stroll and attend the rally … as an indication of respect and it’s an indication of solidarity with girls across the nation.”
Williams instructed this masthead: “I stated on the occasion, any likelihood I can persuade you guys to arrange one thing with us or to decide to one of many calls for, and so they stated ‘no’,” she stated.
“So I made it clear I used to be going to say all of the calls for and ask them there – the PM didn’t reply to the 5 calls for, the viewers began getting upset.
“He by no means requested to talk, I requested if he would contemplate talking and I used to be instructed there wasn’t sufficient time as a result of the march was so quickly.”
On Monday morning, Williams additionally claimed she overheard Albanese say “I’m the prime minister. I run the nation” earlier than he spoke to the gang.
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Requested on Seven’s Dawn if he had stated this, Albanese wouldn’t remark.
“I’m not going to get into that type of debate,” he stated. “Folks, together with Seven, had been there for the recording of every thing that went on.”
This masthead spoke to a number of witnesses on the rally however was unable to independently confirm this declare.
Albanese additionally made some extent of congratulating Williams for organising the occasion.
“The organisers all through the nation deserve credit score for organising these rallies. I used to be blissful to not converse, I used to be blissful to talk. It was about elevating consciousness of the difficulty [and] a name to motion [to] all governments. Fairly clearly, we have to do extra,” he instructed 9’s At present program.
“It was an emotional day for individuals and I get that [it] is an emotional problem as a result of girls had been saying yesterday, sufficient is sufficient.”
Opposition frontbencher Jane Hume stated girls had been hurting and needed motion, not phrases.
“They need actions, not platitudes,” Hume instructed Sky Information.
“Fairly frankly, the truth that the prime minister couldn’t learn that room speaks volumes in itself.”
Williams stated she had not heard something from Albanese or Gallagher to apologise for inflicting her misery and he or she hoped to see extra session between the federal government and activist teams on what was wanted to deal with home violence.
“If he does assume I’ve performed an excellent job, why hasn’t he reached out, why aren’t we assembly quickly, why am I not assembly with an adviser?” she stated.
“It will be good to have a response from him to truly determine what occurred, to see if we may make change, as a result of the precedence is to resolve violence towards girls.”
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, who was raped in Parliament Home on a minister’s sofa, posted a remark to Williams’ Instagram sending her love.
“I’m so sorry. That is unacceptable and I’m heartbroken you had been made to really feel so small on a day you completed one thing so unbelievable. Sending love all the time,” Higgins wrote.
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In 2023, Williams led a nightlife security marketing campaign, throughout which she collected greater than 20,000 signatures on a petition to the NSW authorities that resulted in mandated drink-spiking schooling for venue and bar workers within the state. She additionally developed Australia’s first sexual assault service for music festivals, which is in place at greater than 30 festivals a 12 months.
For those who or somebody you recognize is affected by sexual assault, home or household violence, name 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
