Prominent Australian media executive Antony Catalano, the former chairman of Australian Community Media (ACM), has been permitted to skip in-person court appearances for his ongoing criminal case, after his legal team argued that intense public and media scrutiny would pose severe risks to his mental well-being. The 59-year-old industry leader faces three serious charges: common assault, threats to kill, and false imprisonment, all stemming from an alleged domestic incident involving his wife Stefanie Catalano at the couple’s St Kilda apartment on March 13.
Authorities’ accounts of the incident allege Catalano confronted his partner in an acutely drug-impaired state during the early hours of that morning. The victim was reportedly able to escape the residential complex, and was found by a passing motorist while in a state of extreme emotional distress. Catalano was taken into police custody later the same day, with reports indicating he was wearing underwear torn during the confrontation.
In line with his bail requirements, Catalano had initially been ordered to appear in person at the Melbourne Magistrates Court for the preliminary hearing held on Monday. However, his defense barrister Tony Hargreaves made an urgent application to allow his client to appear via video link from his legal team’s office, arguing that a crowd of waiting journalists gathered in the court building would worsen his client’s already fragile mental health.
Hargreaves told the court that following his client’s arrest and charging, Catalano admitted himself to a rehabilitation facility to address his health, and only recently completed a 28-day inpatient treatment program. He added that the intense media interest in the case had already penetrated the facility, with photographers obtaining images of Catalano during his stay, and that his client was still in the early stages of recovery post-discharge. “Forcing him to walk through the pack of media waiting downstairs would be potentially detrimental to his mental health,” Hargreaves argued.
The application went unopposed by Senior Constable Matthew Morris, the prosecuting officer representing police. Magistrate Nahrain Warda granted the request, excusing Catalano from in-person attendance not just for this preliminary hearing, but also for all future scheduled court appearances in the case.
During Monday’s hearing, Catalano appeared via video link dressed in a dark formal suit, sitting with his arms crossed and was not required to make any statements to the court. Hargreaves told the court that his client has already expressed deep remorse for the events that took place, but the criminal proceedings remain in their early stages, and the defense team is awaiting two key medical reports to move forward with the case. One report is from Catalano’s treating physician, and the second from a consulting psychiatrist. Hargreaves noted that the first provider will not be able to complete their report until late June, while the second will not finish theirs until mid-July, prompting a request for an adjournment.
Catalano’s bail conditions were extended ahead of the next hearing, scheduled for June 2. In a public statement issued the day after his arrest, Catalano publicly acknowledged his responsibility, saying he was “deeply ashamed and humiliated” by the alleged incident, and announced he would step down from all his professional leadership roles. “I know that my actions have caused hurt and concern for others, including the woman involved, my family, friends, colleagues and the many people connected to the businesses I have been privileged to lead,” he said in the statement, adding that he would not make any further public comments while the matter moves through the court system per his legal team’s advice.