Firestarter may have been unionist

The prime minister’s office said media adviser Tony Hodges resigned yesterday after disclosing that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was inside the restaurant.

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SOURCES at the Aboriginal tent embassy say the mystery intermediary between Julia Gillard's office and the protesting mob on Australia Day was Kim Sattler.

Ms Sattler is a well-connected Labor figure, who has worked with UnionsACT.

Ms Sattler was not immediately available for comment to confirm or deny a role in the protest, but a message on her Facebook page said: "Tony Abbot [sic] is like your typical bar room brawler who starts a fight and then disappears like a coward when it is in full swing- then brags about his role afterwards- we've all met them!"

After about 200 angry protesters surrounded a Canberra restaurant on Thursday, security guards bundled Ms Gillard out of the building. She fell awkwardly as she was being rushed to escape to a nearby car.

The prime minister's office said media adviser Tony Hodges resigned yesterday after disclosing that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was inside the restaurant.

Read more at Brisbanetimes.com.au