Woman attacks two Parliament House staffers over a cigarette in Adelaide

A woman struck out at and abused two city workers, who she claims were “making her sick”. Watch the video and see what sparked her epic meltdown.

The city’s mounting crime wave and abusive behaviour crisis have been laid bare in confronting video that shows two parliamentary workers being attacked.

Stark vision shows an agitated woman, who is known to police, abuse and strike the staffers as they stood on North Tce, adjacent the Adelaide Railway Station, at 2.30pm on Friday.

The workers, who were on break from budget estimates questioning, told of their shock at the confrontation with the woman, who heckled former Premier Steven Marshall 18 months ago.

The latest North Tce incident, which occurred in the epicentre of the city’s anti-social crisis, is being reported to police.

One of the workers said it was an unsettling, but frequent experience, for locals.

“It is insane how things have deteriorated,” they said.

Parliamentary workers were abused and …

… assaulted near the Adelaide Railway Station.

“She continued to follow us trying to smash our phones. I made the mistake of turning my back and who knows how it could have ended. It’s just crazy around there at the moment.”

Police are cracking down on the CBD crime wave’s rising alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-­social behaviour blighting Adelaide’s most popular areas.

Authorities are particularly concerned at “hotspot” areas on the western part of North Tce, surrounding the Convention Centre, the railway station and parliament.

The workers, who asked not to be identified, were smoking when the woman – who interrupted Mr Marshall’s Covid-19 update in the southern on New Year’s Eve 2021 – suddenly appeared.

She hit out at the staff.

And it’s not the first time she’s been caught on camera being abusive – she is photographed here yelling at then-Premier Steven Marshall during a Press conference. Picture: 7NEWS

The woman, who appears to slur her words, asks one of the victims if she could buy a cigarette for $1, which local workers say is a common tactic from vagrants and drug addicts.

After being told no, the woman, dressed in crocs, dark tracksuit pants and a black jacket, abuses the worker and yells: “Well, choke on it, comb-over.”

The woman, who starts clenching her fists, then attempts to intimidate the workers, who accused her of “invading” their personal space as she crossed her arms.

When a worker blows smoke out, the woman accuses him of a deliberate act towards her, asking: “How are we love? Blowing smoke in everyone’s face. Do you think that’s going to be the right thing to do?”

She asks if she can have it, and when the worker again refuses, she says “you’re going to make me sick”.

The pair alleged she deliberated tried to vomit on them before the confrontation becomes heated as a worker tells her to “f*** off” and labels her a drug “junkie”.

She violently denies this slur as she tries to hit his phone.

As the workers quickly walk east to the Old Parliament House entrance, where protective security officers are based, it escalates further as the woman lashes out.

One worker shouts “oi, don’t hit him”, the woman angrily replies. “F***ing shave your head, you w*****. Keep going.”

She continues her abusive tirade before she quickly turns and head west towards the station.

Last month, MPs and parliament staff working late were warned to leave in pairs, avoid long waits for buses and be vigilant to violent incidents.

Parliamentary authorities will also build a special protective wall on its south-east corner.

SA Police’s Operation Paragon is also flooding more officers into the area in a bid to quell violent incidents and unruly behaviour.

Senior police have also proposed a new Declared Public Precinct zone to significantly widen special anti-social laws outside the West End.

A police spokeswoman urged anyone who experiences harassment, feels threatened or are the victim of a crime to immediately report to police but incidents can be reported later.

She said: “Police will investigate all reported crimes. Police have increased our presence on North Terrace in response to reports of anti-social behaviour.

“We continue that response and adopt a low tolerance approach to any anti-social behaviour and offending.”

Victims should call the police assistance line 131 444 or Triple-Zero (000) in an emergency.