Alleged crepe attacker breaks silence

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NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles was allegedly assaulted. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

An anti-vaxxer who has been charged with assaulting the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister has broken her silence on why she allegedly hit the politician in the face with a dessert.

NT’s Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she was left “shocked” and “in pain” after being allegedly slapped in the face with a cream pancake by Suzi Milgate on Sunday.

Footage has emerged of the alleged attack, showing a woman, who has now been charged with aggravated assault, striking with a dessert while at the Nightcliff Markets at about 11:40am.

The 56-year-old woman allegedly behind the attack has spoken out, describing it as a “slight error” and dismissing the seriousness of the accusations against her, saying there was “no force behind it”.

“It was just cream pie. I just wanted some answers,” she told Sky News.

“It was out of frustration. She won’t talk to the people and address the real issues of Darwin.

The woman allegedly "smooshed a cream pancake" in the Chief Minister's face.
Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Natasha Fyles was allegedly assaulted on Sunday.
The woman allegedly "smooshed a cream pancake" in the Chief Minister's face.
The woman allegedly "smooshed a cream pancake" in the Chief Minister's face.

Ms Fyles has strongly condemned the alleged attack against her, saying Ms Milgate gave her a “good whack”.

“Violence is never acceptable and police are investigating and I will leave them to their job,” Ms Fyles said on Monday.

“I don‘t care if you try and dress it up by throwing a crepe, you know, she gave me a fair shove,” the Chief Minister alleged. “And it’s not acceptable.“

Ms Milgate said that she was moved to take a stand against Ms Fyles after she had tried to raise a personal issue with the minister nearly four years ago.

Suzi Milgate has broken her silence after the alleged attack. Photo: Sky News
Suzi Milgate has broken her silence and defended herself after the alleged attack. Photo: Sky News

“Everybody is frustrated with these idiots, no one is getting any answers,” she said.

“She’s not accountable, she’s not transparent.

The Labor leader said the alleged attack had left her with a bruised eye and that she had given a statement to the NT police.

“Obviously, I was quite shocked after it happened,” she said.

“She gave me a good whack, that's for sure.

“I'm in a bit of pain, but it’s okay, I’ll get on with it.”

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NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she was leaving a 15th anniversary celebration at the Bendigo Bank before the attack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Police have since charged the local real estate agent with aggravated assault following the incident.

Ms Milgate is the director of Milgate Real Estate and has previously spoken at multiple Covid anti-vaccination protests in Darwin.

She has been bailed to appear in a Darwin Local Court on October 10.

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Ms Fyles said she had received an outpouring of support following the incident. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Police have said they will consider tightening security for Northern Territory MPs after the alleged unprovoked attack, with NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy saying authorities were discerning whether the threat level warranted an uptick in protection.

“It’s about appreciating the threat and the risk assessments, and how that presents, and what sort of policing activities we put around people and make sure they’re safe,” he told the Australian.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw raised concerns last month about a “heightened degree of activity towards MPs”.

“We’ve been quite proactive in making sure we have the right security packages for each member of parliament and we’re constantly engaging with their offices, their electorates and so on”.

This isn’t the first time the chief minister has been attacked this year.

Ms Fyles was followed and allegedly harassed by anti-fracking protesters while competing in a running competition in Central Australia in May.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call police on 131 444 or CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.