The state’s top workplace safety watchdog is investigating Married At First Sight following the show’s explosive door punching incident last week.
Controversial groom Paul Antoine, 31, came under fire for his ‘toxic’ and ‘unacceptable’ behaviour after he admitted to punching a hole in the bedroom door during a heated argument with his bride Carina Mirabile during last Wednesday’s episode.
On Monday, SafeWork NSW acting deputy secretary Trent Curtain told a budget estimates hearing that the department was looking into the incident, according to The Daily Telegraph reported.
‘We’ve had a request … to also look into it,’ Mr Curtain said.
‘We have allocated that to an inspector, the inspector will make inquiries – probably with NSW Police.’
It comes after the Nine Network were asked to cooperate with NSW Police as they conduct an official investigation into the show.
‘The matter has been referred to officers from South Sydney Police Area Command, who have commenced an investigation,’ a NSW Police spokesperson said last Friday.
‘As the investigation is current, police will not be making any further comment in relation to the matter.’
An insider at the apartment had previously revealed Channel Nine were approached by police and asked to cooperate on Thursday.
They added the State Police were already monitoring the show, but a request for action was escalated to the Deputy Commissioner of NSW after Paul’s outburst.
A source at Nine also said: ‘Footage is likely to be seized and participants will be approached to assist the investigation.’
Daily Mail Australia were first to reveal that Paul punched a hole in the wall of the hotel apartment he shared with Carina at Sydney’s One Global Resorts Green Square.
The rage-induced outburst occurred during an argument the pair had after Carina revealed to Paul she had previously slept with rapper Quavo.
Carina repeatedly apologised, trying to reassure Paul it was just a fling, but the revelation had already sent him over the edge.
Channel Nine told Daily Mail Australia they are providing support to the couple.
‘Nine and Endemol Shine Australia has treated this matter extremely seriously,’ they said in a statement.
‘Our first priority at all times has been the wellbeing and safety of the participants and after extensive consultation with Carina, she wanted to remain in the experiment with Paul. We continue to provide support for Carina and Paul.’
Viewers have been left divided on the issue.
Some MAFS fans are calling for Paul to be removed from the experiment or for the series to be taken off air.
Some are enraged physical abuse is being ‘taken more seriously’ than emotional abuse, and calling for groom Adrian Araouzou to also be removed from the show.
Sunday’s episode saw the experts confront Paul over his shocking wall-punching outburst.
The atmosphere was tense as relationship expert Alessandra Rampolla wasted no time addressing the violent incident, demanding Paul explain himself.
Paul recounted the moment that led to his alarming reaction, explaining that Carina had joked about sleeping with someone associated with the music playing in their car.
Feeling ‘disrespected’ and ’embarrassed,’ Paul admitted that when they returned to their apartment, he ‘completely lost control’ and lashed out, punching a hole in the door.
‘I felt trapped, and I completely lost control,’ he confessed.
Alessandra was visibly unimpressed.
‘It does not matter how disrespected you felt,’ she shot back.
‘You do not punch walls. You do not punch floors. Period. Full stop. That intimidates.’
Despite the confronting nature of the discussion, Carina downplayed the seriousness of the incident, brushing it off as an emotional reaction.
Her response prompted an immediate reaction from Mel Schilling.
‘This is not normal behaviour, sweetheart,’ she warned.
‘This is not how you show love. This is deeply troubling.’
Fellow expert John Aiken backed her up, calling Paul’s behaviour ‘toxic, inappropriate, and unacceptable’.
With the panel visibly furious, Paul was then put on the spot, forced to explain why he should be allowed to stay in the experiment.