Sources at the Aboriginal tent embassy say the mystery intermediary between Julia Gillard's office and the protesting mob on Australia Day was Kim Sattler.

Ms Sattler is a well-connected Labor figure, who has worked with UnionsACT.

Kim Sattler. Credit:Lyn Mills

Ms Sattler was not immediately available for comment to confirm or deny a role in the protest, but a message on her Facebook page said: "Tony Abbot [sic] is like your typical bar room brawler who starts a fight and then disappears like a coward when it is in full swing- then brags about his role afterwards- we've all met them!"



After about 200 angry protesters surrounded a Canberra restaurant on Thursday, security guards bundled Ms Gillard out of the building. She fell awkwardly as she was being rushed to escape to a nearby car.



The prime minister’s office said media adviser Tony Hodges resigned yesterday after disclosing that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was inside the restaurant.



Mr Abbott, who was also caught up in Thursday's drama, has today called on Ms Gillard to give precise details about the circumstances of Mr Hodge's resignation.



Aboriginal woman Barbara Shaw, who told the crowd of Tony Abbott's location on Australia Day, confirmed to The Sunday Age that she believed the intermediary was Ms Sattler.



"Now I know who she is and what her position [is], it’s really disappointing," she said.



"It breaks my heart to know who she is."



Ms Shaw said she didn’t identify Ms Sattler on sight at the embassy rally but later confirmed her identity speaking to others who were there.



"She said I should let people know Tony Abbott is over there, so I did," Ms Shaw said.



"I wasn’t the first person she told and the coffee shop is a public area, but there were already people from here going over there.



"I was told and I was told to tell everyone else."

One of the founders of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Michael Anderson, said Ms Sattler had spoken to him as well.