Qantas boss Alan Joyce has told reporters he intends to press charges against the Perth man who shoved a pie in his face on Tuesday morning while he was speaking at a conference.
Tony Overheu, who carried out the stunt, told the Breakfast program on Radio 6PR on Wednesday he did it to stand up to "corporate bullying" which promoted marriage equality.
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Man who shoved pie in Qantas boss' face explains why
The man who threw a pie in Alan Joyce's face has explained his actions. Vision: Nine News Perth.
The 67-year-old has since emailed an apology to Mr Joyce after his wife was "at his throat" over his actions.
The Willetton man was caught on film emerging from behind a curtain at a business breakfast event hosted by The West Australian at the Hyatt Regency on Tuesday morning.
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He hit Mr Joyce with a lemon meringue pie bought from The Cheesecake Shop and then casually walked off stage into the arms of security officers who held him until police arrived.
"I bought the cake the previous evening, hopped in my work ute that I own at 6am yesterday morning... lemon meringue appeared to be the softest, least likely to do any injury," Mr Overheu said.
"I had the cake wrapped up like a birthday present... walked in the front door, through the lobby... passed all sorts of staff... and onto the stage behind the screen but in front of the curtain - there was about a 500 millimetre gap.
"I sat down in the middle of that and waited a couple of hours until everyone had come in and had breakfast."
Mr Overheu said he wanted to bring attention to what he called a "theme of corporate bullying", referring to a recent sex-same marriage campaign Qantas supports which has the tag line, "until we all belong".
The airline has the initiative - which encourages customers to order one of 250,000 specially-commissioned rings - printed on its boarding passes.
"Qantas is insulting many staff and passengers with their boarding pass propaganda," Mr Overheu said.
"Middle Australia rejects corporate bullying aimed at social engineering.
The individual has become overridden in our society by major special interest groups.
"I've had years of community and industry involvement as an activist - usually in elected positions.
"I see myself as a law-abiding citizen so it's no joke to do what I did yesterday morning, I feel very deeply about this theme of corporate bullying."
Mr Overheu said he didn't realise his actions broke the law but admitted his wife and family were "outraged" at what he had done.
"I've sent an email to Alan Joyce... offering an unreserved apology this morning," he said.
"My wife is hammering me over the head."
Mr Overheu has since been charged with giving false details to police and Mr Joyce - who is openly gay - told reporters he intended to press charges.
"The police are continuing their investigation and my intention is to send a message that this type of behaviour isn't acceptable and that I will have every intention of pressing charges," he said.
"I have every intention to continue to be vocal on those social and community issues.
"It's important for our shareholders, our employees, and our customers. It's called good corporate social responsibility."
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has copped a pie in the face while speaking at a business breakfast in Perth. https://t.co/mdmMYQ54KC #7News pic.twitter.com/QxzwKtlhv1
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) May 9, 2017