Single Steps event cancelled amid controversy swirling around domestic violence charity founder
A fundraising and speaking event for a Tasmanian domestic violence charity has been cancelled amid ongoing controversy surrounding its founder.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A speaking event for Tasmanian domestic violence charity Single Steps has been cancelled amid growing controversy surrounding its founder.
The “fundraising and domestic and family abuse awareness evening” was due to take place on April 26 at Rhonda’s on Midlands, formerly the Bagdad Community Club, with guest speakers including prominent advocates Faith Tkalac, Romany Wake and Jenna Purton and her niece Shakira Robertson.
The Mercury understands all have withdrawn from the event after criticisms began being levelled against Single Steps founder Mel Kane via Facebook last month.
The charity has since shut down its page on Facebook.
The Daily Mail first reported she pleaded guilty to obtaining financial advantage from the Commonwealth at the Hobart Magistrates Court in May 2022 and was convicted under the name Melissa Maree Banks.
The court has verified those details to the Mercury, and that she was sentenced to a nine-month home detention order and reparations of $38,871.16.
Since the reports, Ms Tkalac and Ms Wake have taken to Facebook to call out and announce they had distanced themselves from Ms Kane and Single Steps, while Ms Purton and MC Aaron Maxwell both confirmed to The Mercury they had cancelled appearances at the speaking event citing the recent controversy.
Management of Rhonda’s, which has only been open five weeks, said they had not heard from Ms Kane since the allegations emerged but assumed the event to be cancelled.
Operators of Justice for Khaylan – created in honour of 10-month old baby Khaylan Butler who died after being shaken in his cot by Daniel John Ridgers and which includes his mother, Maddison Butler – have also distanced themselves from Single Steps in a public post to their Facebook page.
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) records show the charity was established in November 2021 and formally registered in August 2023.
Ms Kane was a prominent figure in local domestic and family violence advocacy, previously winning a finalist position in the 2022 Volunteering Tasmania Community Care and Health Awards and photographed alongside state politicians including former state Labor leader Rebecca White.
In a June 2023 interview with The Mercury, Ms Kane claimed the charity had helped around 200 women in the past year.
“We’re not government funded, everything we’ve done so far relies on fundraising and public donations,” she said.
In response to questions, Ms Kane confirmed the event was cancelled but would not comment further.
More Coverage
Originally published as Single Steps event cancelled amid controversy swirling around domestic violence charity founder
How Trump’s tariffs will hurt Tassie farmers, consumers
US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs will be felt in Tasmania, experts say, and shoppers will feel the impact in their hip pockets.
Rockliff’s privatisation push snuffed out by both houses
The minority Liberal government’s privatisation push looks doomed after both Houses of Parliament passed motions opposing the sale of state-owned assets.
Man charged after police search uncovers firearms
A man has turned himself into police after a police search on a northern Tasmanian home uncovered multiple firearms, including a 3D printed pistol. Here’s what we know.
Coalition pledges to cut funding for ‘job destroying organisation’
If elected, the Coalition has vowed to cut federal government funding for an organisation that was one of the driving forces behind the review of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
Hanson 2.0: Out of Pauline’s shadow and into the spotlight
The Hanson name has long been a headline-act in Australian politics – and it is likely to stay that way for some time yet.
‘I’m not my mother … I’m far more diplomatic’: Pauline Hanson’s daughter
With a ‘polarising’ political figure as a mother, Tasmania’s One Nation senate hopeful never planned to enter politics but now feels compelled to do so.