Tracey Curro faces Townsville court over domestic violence offence

The lawyer of a former high-profile journalist charged with a domestic violence offence has addressed the media following her first court appearance.

Former 60 Minutes journalist Tracey Curro intends to fight a domestic violence charge, a court has heard.

Curro, 58, was charged over an incident in Ingham, where Curro was born in North Queensland, on August 10.

It is understood it is related to someone known to her.

Wearing glasses and a long tan dress, Curro made her first appearance in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning charged with common assault (domestic violence offence).

Speaking to the media outside of the courthouse, her defence lawyer Mathai Joshi said his client was disappointed the media had reported on a private family matter.

Former 60 Minutes reporter Tracey Curro at Townsville Magistrate's Court. Picture: Craig Herbert

“My client wishes to advise that it’s incredibly distressing and disappointing that a ... private family matter with an extensive history, which as a consequence has caused my client and her sister a loss of valuable time with her father, has now essentially been made public.

“My client denies these allegations against her and she intends to provide a response once these proceedings are finalised.”

Former 60 Minutes reporter Tracey Curro’s lawyer speaks to the media outside the court. Picture: Craig Herbert

Given the nature of the proceedings, he said it wasn’t appropriate to make any further comment.

Curro became a household name when she asked Hanson during a sit-down interview if she was xenophobic after her controversial election to the House of Representatives in the Federal Elections in 1996.

Hanson’s response, “Please explain?”, was widely derided around not only Australia, but the world.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Curro worked as a reporter for 60 Minutes for four years until 1997 and as a journalist and presenter with Nine Network Australia from 2002 to 2005.

Both jobs were based in Melbourne.

In recent years, the former Ingham State High School student has moved into various corporate communications roles, also based in Melbourne, according to the business and employment website.

She left her job as executive director, communications and stakeholder relations with Ambulance Victoria in 2021.

She remains a part-time board member for Shrine Remembrance.

Originally published as Tracey Curro faces Townsville court over domestic violence offence