Tech Council of Australia employee Harry Godber stood down after domestic violence charges

A high-ranking policy wonk flew overseas with a delegation for a trade show immediately after being granted bail on domestic violence charges.

Harry Godber has been stood down as head of policy and strategy at the Tech Council of Australia after being charged. Picture: LinkedIn

A high-ranking policy wonk flew overseas with a delegation for a trade show immediately after being granted bail on domestic violence charges.

Harry Godber was on Monday stood down from his role as head of policy and strategy at the Tech Council of Australia following news of the charges.

The 28-year-old, who worked as an adviser to Liberal ministers Jane Hume, Arthur Sinodinos and Michaelia Cash in the Turnbull and Morrison governments, was arrested last Thursday and spent a night in custody before facing the Downing Centre Local Court.

The Millers Point resident pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Magistrate Sharon Freund said the charges related to Godber’s former partner allegedly being left with bruises following incidents at Millers Point on May 1 and May 5.

Harry Godber has been served with an interim AVO for the alleged victim’s protection.

Godber’s lawyer Dominic Green said his client wanted to maintain his public appearance. Picture: NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Applying for bail, Godber’s lawyer Dominic Green told the court there was an interest in maintaining his client’s reputation.

“He has a very public job and does not want to ruin his reputation,” Mr Green said.

“He fears the PR damage this could cause. He is a trusted person who people respect and look up to.”

Mr Green said Godber had been served with an interim apprehended violence order for the alleged victim’s protection and he did not intend to contact her.

The police prosecutor opposed bail and said there were photographs of the woman’s injuries, with Godber accused of pulling on the woman’s ear and screaming: “This is what yelling really sounds like.”

There was a risk Godber could reoffend, contact the ex-partner and interfere with witnesses, the prosecutor said.

Godber was granted conditional bail when he faced Downing Centre Local Court. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Ms Freund said she understood Godber had a public profile but explained her job was to judge the risks.

She ultimately granted Godber bail with conditions he does not contact the alleged victim or go within 100m of her home or workplace.

The case was adjourned for hearing in August.

It is understood that after being released from custody, Godber travelled to Japan as part of a group for trade show Expo 2025, which started about a month ago.

Neither Austrade or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funded the delegation.

Godber told The Daily Telegraph on Monday he was no longer taking part in the delegation, having “voluntarily stepped aside from my duties at the Tech Council of Australia, Spark Festival and Fintech Australia until this matter is resolved, so as not to distract from the good work of those organisations”.

“The allegations made against me are incontrovertibly false and I have entered a plea of not guilty,” he said.

“I trust in the legal process and I will be vigorously defended.”

While Godber said he had voluntarily stepped down, the Tech Council of Australia’s executive advised members in a statement on Monday afternoon that he had been “stood aside from his duties with the TCA until further notice”.

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