60 Between 17 and 24 January 2023, Mrs Deeming and Ms Keen exchanged a series of messages relating to the organisation of the LWS rally in Melbourne.
61 On 4 February 2023, Mrs Deeming and Mr Pesutto attended a "Western Metropolitan Meet & Greet" event. Mr Mundine also attended.
62 During February 2023, Mrs Deeming booked the front steps of Parliament House to be used for the LWS rally (Ex R4); agreed to be registered as an additional police contact for the rally (Ex R2; Court Book Part C – Evidence (CC):125); arranged for the sound equipment (Ex R137; CC:148); and exchanged emails with a company to arrange security for Ms Keen (Ex R5).
63 On 18 February 2023, Mrs Deeming also provided Ms Keen with tables summarising the way in which different attributes were protected by anti-discrimination laws in the Commonwealth and each state and territory, and a table of laws regarding change of sex on birth certificates (T150.30–31; Ex R8).
64 Mrs Deeming delivered her maiden speech in Parliament on 21 February 2023 (CB:1, 6 [33]). Mr Pesutto attended. Despite it being referred to on many occasions during the trial, the content of her speech was not in evidence.
65 The parties have a different take on how the speech was received.
66 Mrs Deeming's husband gave unchallenged evidence that he attended the maiden speech and saw the gallery was full of her supporters, and that it was "as diverse a group of people as you could imagine–Christians, Muslims atheists, lesbians and gay men, and detransitioners", as well as members of the Liberal and Labor parties, and the Greens (CB:4, 118[37]).
67 Mrs Deeming pointed to what she submitted was "an overwhelming weight of evidence to show that [her maiden speech] was positively received", as follows:
- (a) Ms Heath sent her supportive texts saying, "Seriously!!!! You!!!! Rock!!!!" (Ex A98; CC:156) and "You were outstanding yesterday!!! I'm still on a high. My family want the link when you get it" (Ex A107; CC:174);
