Markets 
Christine Lacy
Media mogul Antony Catalano and his estranged wife Stefanie have reconciled their turbulent marriage as the millionaire businessman awaits court over an alleged attack on her earlier this year.
The glamorous couple, who are parents to four young children, reunited recently despite Antony Catalano facing charges of assault, false imprisonment and making threats to kill following an alleged attack on his wife at their $30 million St Kilda penthouse on March 13.
Three sources close to the pair, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the couple were back together, and Catalano had moved back into the family home in Byron Bay, where Stefanie and their children have been living since the alleged domestic violence incident.
The development follows Catalano’s successful application to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this month to vary his strict bail conditions to allow the media proprietor to travel to Byron Bay to visit his family. Catalano has nine children from three marriages.
Two of the sources said the pair attended their children’s sporting activities in Byron Bay together last weekend and plan to spend much of the winter at their penthouse located on the slopes of Mount Buller.
They were also seen together in Melbourne’s inner east this week, and The Australian published photographs of them walking in the street.
Catalano, 59, is set to return to court next month and faces eight charges over the alleged assault on his wife, parts of which were captured on closed-circuit television cameras.
While not commenting on the Catalanos’ circumstances directly, Victoria’s former victims of crime commissioner, Fiona McCormack, said there could be many reasons why relationships resume despite allegations of abuse.
McCormack, also the former head of Domestic Violence Victoria (now called Safe and Equal), said it was important women were supported and not judged.
“The most important thing is that we don’t judge her,” she said.
Catalano’s luxury, five-bedroom apartment in Victoria’s snowfields is currently listed for sale with an asking price of $9.25 million. He bought the home atop the “Timbuktu” development off the plan in 2021 for $7 million. The home is said to be one of the most exclusive and luxurious residences on the mountain.
During their extended time there during last year’s ski season, the Catalanos held rooftop parties on their heated deck overlooking the Bourke Street ski run, and Stefanie acted as DJ.
The couple’s St Kilda apartment at the exclusive Saint Moritz building is also for sale, although previous online real estate listings – which had the apartment listed for almost $30 million – were withdrawn following the alleged assault and ensuing court proceedings.
Catalano stepped down from running his Australian Community Media empire, which he owns 50-50 with billionaire Alex Waislitz, following the alleged March 13 assault.
Police allege Catalano swung a clothes iron at his wife’s head, unlawfully imprisoned her, threatened to stab her to death and choked or strangled her. Stefanie was later admitted to hospital with a broken tailbone.
Antony Catalano said at the time he was “struggling with significant mental health and substance abuse issues” and entered a Malvern rehabilitation facility shortly after the assault amid a public fallout.
Catalano and defence lawyer Tony Hargreaves, from law firm Tony Hargreaves & Partners, did not respond to requests for comment.
Support is available from the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Victims of Crime Helpline (1800 819 817).
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