Media tycoon Antony Catalano's alleged victim makes fresh bid to gag the press over case that shocked Australia

By WAYNE FLOWER, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 08:18, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 08:27, 1 July 2026 The alleged victim of a violent assault carried out by media mogul Antony Catalano wants court proceedings held in secret, months after she was outed.  Daily Mail has chosen not to name the alleged victim, despite her name being published widely in newspapers and websites across Australia for many months.  Catalano, 59, co-owner and former chairman of Australian Community Media, is accused of a drug-induced assault against the woman at his St Kilda penthouse on March 13, when he allegedly held a clothes iron to her head and dragged her by her hair. On Wednesday, the woman appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court via video link where her lawyer successfully lobbied to have the court closed to the public.  Before that ruling, the woman's lawyer applied to suppress the entire proceeding, arguing her client had become the subject of online harassment.  '(She) is being subjected to undue distress and embarrassment by the reporting of this matter, as an alleged victim of family violence,' she said.  Lawyers acting for a number of media organisations opposed the application to close the court, arguing it ought only be done under 'extraordinary circumstances'.  'So my clients have a right of audience in respect of the proceedings suppression order application,' the media lawyer said.  Antony Catalano (pictured) is accused of assaulting the woman at his St Kilda penthouse  'Technically, in respect of the closed court order applications, there is no automatic right of audience and we would seek leave to be heard on that ... I think I’m duty bound to submit to the court that the closed court order is an extraordinary order. 'It appears that this application is focused on reporting. The way in which reporting is stymied or shut down is through a suppression order.' The court was subsequently closed, although reporters were allowed to remain in court under the provision they did not report what was said.  When the court re-opened, Catalano's barrister, Tony Hargreaves, said his client intended to fight the allegations.   Catalano is facing eight charges, including intentionally choking, strangling or suffocating a family member, recklessly causing injury, assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill. While the magistrate refused to implement an interim suppression order, the matter will return to court next week for a formal hearing.   The contest hearing has been listed for October.  Catalano appeared in court via video link from an undisclosed location.  The St Kilda apartment complex where Catalano is accused of assaulting the woman  Last month the court granted him a variation to his bail conditions to allow him to flee Melbourne's winter for Byron Bay and see his four kids - but only if he remained sober. Magistrate Stephen Lee warned him then: 'There’s two very different scenarios - if you’re unaffected by drugs and alcohol, you can contact them, go near them, and go to the Byron Bay address. 'But conversely, if you’re affected by drugs or alcohol, all bets are off and you can’t do it.' Mr Hargreaves told the court his client had already addressed the media following his first court appearance in March. 'He immediately acknowledged his remorse and sorrow for what had taken place and publicly acknowledged that he had substance abuse - pharmaceutical and other substances - and mental health issues,' he said then. The court heard Catalano had been admitted to a rehabilitation hospital for 28 days and successfully completed the program. Catalano allegedly dragged the woman to a laundry area and grabbed a clothes iron, holding it towards her head, the court heard.  Police said the woman had been screaming for help and managed to briefly escape the apartment but was allegedly dragged back inside by her hair as she waited for the elevator.  'The accused then threatened the victim, stating: "If you scream one more time, I'll stab you to death",' the officer said. 'I am deeply ashamed and humiliated,' Catalano told the Australian Financial Review in March. 'Those close to me have been urging me to seek professional help for some time and there have been interventions by close family and friends. 'I regret not heeding their advice and I continued to believe I could hide my mental health issues. 'I allowed shame and pride to prevent me from confronting these problems and seeking treatment earlier.' Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.