Former Gillard media adviser who helped spark Australia Day protest takes up new job for ACT Chief Minister
Julia Gillard's former media adviser, the man who helped spark a violent Australia Day protest in 2012, has taken up a new job for ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.
Tony Hodges resigned as the then prime minister's adviser after it was revealed he had tipped off protesters from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy to the whereabouts of then opposition leader Tony Abbott.
On Australia Day in 2012, a group of Aboriginal protesters surrounded a restaurant in central Canberra, angered by reports that Mr Abbott had said it was time to pull the Aboriginal Tent Embassy down.
Ugly scenes followed and Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott had to be hustled from the Australia Day ceremony by security and Australian Federal Police.
At the time of Mr Hodges' resignation, Ms Gillard denounced his actions as "unauthorised and unacceptable", but police did not lay charges over the incident.
Mr Hodges has since been working overseas, but he has returned to take up an adviser position within the office of the now ACT Chief Minister.
In a statement Mr Barr defended his decision to appoint Mr Hodges.
"I have assembled a diverse team of experienced advisers and Tony is one of them," he said.
"All appointments are based on skills and merit within the Chief Minister's office."
