Kathryn Hay: Ex-Tasmanian Labor MP engages barrister to fight husband abuse charge

A former Tasmanian state MP and beauty queen is contesting a charge of emotionally abusing her husband for more than a decade. The hearing will likely run for two days.

Former Miss Australia Kathryn Hay, depicted in the early 2000s before her election to the state division of Bass. Picture: File

A former Tasmanian Labor MP and beauty queen has engaged a barrister to defend a charge of emotionally abusing or intimidating her husband for a period of more than a decade, with the matter likely to be heard over two days.

Swan Bay woman Kathryn Isobel Hay, 47, appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday via telephone to mention her charge, which Tasmania Police alleges was committed against her ex-husband between October 22, 2011 and February 13, 2022.

Ms Hay, who was crowned Miss Tasmania and Miss Australia in 1999, and represented the seat of Bass from 2002-06, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court heard that Ms Hay had engaged the services of barrister Marcia Edwards, a former Victoria Police prosecutor who had a decades’ long career in the service, to act on her behalf when the matter is eventually heard.

The court was told that the future hearing would likely take up two full days before a magistrate.

It is not yet known how many witnesses police or the defence will call to give evidence.

The charge will next be mentioned on August 15.

The Mercury previously reported that police have alleged 46 incidents over the time in question that together make up the charge.

They include allegations Ms Hay assaulted her husband on multiple occasions, including by pushing him, throwing a bowl of cereal at him, punching him in the face, pinning him to the ground and punching him in the face and torso, and slapping him in the face.

Police allege the behaviour extended to controlling actions too.

It is alleged Ms Hay prevented her husband from reasonably seeing his parents, discouraged him from seeking counselling, calling him excessively, corresponding on his behalf, and arranging doctor’s appointments for him without his consent.

Former beauty queen, MP denies emotionally abusing husband

May 29, 2023: Former Tasmanian Labor MP Kathryn Hay, a Miss Australia beauty queen who represented the division of Bass between 2002–06, has pleaded not guilty to the emotional abuse or intimidation of her husband over a period of more than a decade.

Ms Hay, 47, appeared via telephone in Launceston Magistrates Court on Monday, where she was represented by defence lawyer Mark Doyle.

Ms Hay, a resident of Swan Bay, north of Launceston, entered a plea of not guilty via Mr Doyle to the charge, which Tasmania Police alleges was committed between October 22, 2011 and February 13, 2022.

Kathryn Hay, depicted in circa 2009. Picture: File

Mr Doyle’s request for an adjournment of the charge to July 18 was granted by Magistrate Simon Brown.

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“There is work that needs to be done to determine the parameters of this hearing,” Mr Doyle told the court.

“(And to determine) what witnesses may be required. I hope that by next time we’ll have a reasonable estimate of time required to resolve this matter.”

The complainant in the matter is Troy Richardson, Ms Hay’s husband. The pair’s current marital status is unknown. ACM reported in 2021 they were married. Ms Hay and Mr Richardson have two children together.

Court documents previously reported by the Mercury list the allegations against Ms Hay.

They contain 46 particulars, relating to alleged physical violence, manipulation and control.

They include allegations Ms Hay assaulted Mr Richardson on multiple occasions, including by pushing him, throwing a bowl of cereal at him, punching him in the face, pinning him to the ground and punching him in the face and torso, slapping him in the face.

Kathryn Hay as a Tasmanian Labor MP. Picture: File

Ms Hay was prominent in Tasmanian life in the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s.

In 1999, she was declared Miss Tasmania and went on to win the Miss Australia crown later that year.

Ms Hay was elected to the division of Bass at the 2002 state election alongside Jim Cox, the pair replacing retiring Labor Bass MPs Gill James and Peter Patmore.

She did not seek re-election at the 2006 state election, retiring due to “personal reasons,” according to her biography on the Parliament of Tasmania website.

She was the first woman of Aboriginal descent to be elected in Tasmania.