Ex-vice-governor of New South Wales John Barilaro will defend himself against charges brought against him after an altercation with a freelance cameraman on Sydney’s northern beaches earlier this year.
Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Barilaro’s attorney Danny Eid suggested that his client would plead not guilty to counts of simple assault and malicious damage.
Mr. Eid stated outside Manly Local Court, “He’s definitely defending these accusations.”
Mr. Eid further stated that Mr. Barilaro, who has previously experienced mental health challenges, was still suffering difficulties.
Mr. Eid remarked, “Mentally, he’s a mess.”
In July, John Barilaro was charged with assault and intentional damage after a fight with a cameraman outside a Manly club. He will assert his innocence
John Barilaro and his new girlfriend were captured on tape reportedly lunging towards camera workers after being approached outside a club on Sydney’s northern beaches in July.
Mr. Barilaro was not present when Mr. Eid successfully disputed the legality of the subpoenas issued by police to Channel Seven News and radio station 2GB following the altercation with the cameraman.
Mr. Barilaro was served with a notice to appear in court on August 26 for alleged assault and malicious damage offenses.
On July 23, the former MP, who resigned from the House of Representatives in October of last year, was involved in an incident with freelance cameraman Matt Costello outside a club in Manly.
Before the event got heated, the former leader of the NSW Nationals first rebuffed inquiries from a Seven reporter, stating, “It’s a night out, friend, it’s all good.”
Mr. Costello allegedly attempted to video Mr. Barilaro, who then walked away as he and Mr. Barilaro struggled as they grabbed and shoved one another while Mr. Costello attempted to film him.
Mr. Barilaro later confessed his role in the event, stating that he was challenged outside a club in the dark and felt harassed during a night out with companions.
To emerge and have a camera thrust into one’s face. I’m a private individual,’ he told Ben Fordham of 2GB.
“All I did was move a camera out of the way,” she said. I did not physically abuse anyone.’
Mr. Barilaro claimed he was being harassed by the media after a parliamentary investigation into his nomination to a New York trade post paying $500,000 per year was initiated.
He resigned from his position on June 30 in response to political and public opposition.
Mr. Barilaro told Fordham, “The reality is that individuals are now piling on, harassing, intruding, and not allowing me to continue with my life.”
“They arrived with a cameraman, but I don’t know who it was; all I know is that a bright light was blazing in my face.”
Some of the folks who were at dinner with me were pushed and shoved out of the way, I’ll tell you that.
Mr. Costello stated that he had feared for his safety when Mr. Barilaro and his party reportedly attacked him.
He said, “No matter who you are, you cannot behave in such a manner.”
The police issued subpoenas demanding that 2GB deliver an electronic record of the whole conversation between Fordham and Mr. Barilaro, as well as an interview conducted by Seven with Mr. Costello.
Last month, attorney Mark Davis said that he would file a legal suit on behalf of cameraman Matt Costello. Mr. Barilaro is shown in March.
Robyn Denes found that the subpoenas were improperly issued through the court’s registry and ordered that they be reissued.
Last month, attorney Mark Davis announced that he will file a civil lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Costello to seek compensation.
During the encounter, Mr. Costello sustained a twisted back, and his Sony PXW 180 video camera was “severely damaged and is now useless,” according to Mr. Davis’s statement to Nine newspapers.
Davis explained, “He is a freelance cinematographer, and the loss to his camera has dealt him a severe blow.”
Amy Brown, the secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Investment, and Trade, appointed Mr. Barilaro to the US trade job, despite the fact that there were numerous other qualified applicants.
She was later terminated and has earned a compensation of around $448,698.
An independent investigation into the choice of Mr. Barilaro to the taxpayer-funded position concluded that Ms. Brown was indirectly influenced by the desire of then-trade minister Stuart Ayres for who should receive the position.
Mr. Ayres resigned as minister last month after a draft excerpt from the investigation raised issues as to whether he had violated the ministerial code of conduct by participating in the appointment process.
Premier Dominic Perrottet stated that the selection process was defective from the start and demanded an independent legal assessment to determine whether or not Mr. Ayres violated the ministerial code.
The assessment, conducted by former ICAC inspector Bruce McClintock SC and published this week, determined that Mr. Ayres had not violated the code, but he remained on the backbench.
Mr. Barilaro canceled his participation at a congressional hearing last month, citing mental health concerns.
In September 2020, he took a 10-day leave from the legislature for mental health issues.
On October 12, the assault and malicious damage accusations will be heard in court.