Controversial barrister Margaret Cunneen,SC,a strong supporter of Lehrmann,is also speaking at the conference,to be held the same month as Lehrmann’s committal hearing for an alleged sexual assault in Toowoomba is set to start. Lehrmann’s lawyers have indicated he intends to plead not guilty.
Arndt has been one of Lehrmann’s central supporters,and friends claim she had been helping to raise funds for Lehrmann. “I know she was trying to help him out financially as he was completely skint,” said one,who asked not to be named for fear of retribution from other Lehrmann supporters.
This was categorically denied by Arndt. Asked whether she had raised money for him or asked anyone to pay money to Lehrmann,she said,“no,never” before hanging up.
Arndt said the Restoring the Presumption of Innocence conference was being hosted by the so-called Australians for Science and Freedom. The organisation’s website says it is a “diverse group of Australian clinicians,academics,lawyers and public intellectuals who united in growing disquiet at federal and state responses to the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Tickets will probably cost $80 to $100 per person,which will include a sandwich lunch and morning tea. Arndt called for volunteers to help run the day,including anyone who could offer “assistance with airfares/accommodation”.
An online fundraiser attached to the event has raised $5115 towards its goal of $10,000.
According to her blog,Arndt’s denunciation of feminism and advocacy for men’s rights stems from her alarm at the “unfair treatment of men in our society”.