'He's no Harvey Weinstein': Actress Rachel Griffiths defends Geoffrey Rush after Hollywood filmmaker stepped down as AACTA president amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour

By Stephen Bisset For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 14:48 GMT, 6 December 2017 | Updated: 19:25 GMT, 6 December 2017

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Rachel Griffiths has come to the defense of fellow Australian actor Geoffrey Rush, saying that the Hollywood filmmaker is 'no Harvey Weinstein.'

Rachel's comments came during Wednesday night's AACTA awards in Sydney after Geoffrey stepped down as president of the organisation this week, amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

Speaking to the ABC on the event's red carpet, the Muriel's Wedding star defended Geoffrey, who has firmly denied the allegations, saying that the way the story had been played out in the public was disconcerting.

Strong words: Rachel Griffiths has come to the defense of fellow Australian actor Geoffrey Rush saying that the Shine star was 'no Harvey Weinstein'

'Nobody likes to be tried in the public square. The fact that we are discussing things in the marketplace shows that processes and procedures have not been adequate,' Rachel said.

Rachel added that any comparisons between Geoffrey and disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein were unfounded.

'Geoffrey Rush is not Harvey Weinstein and I have had more than a handful of interactions with Harvey Weinstein.'

'The fact that we are discussing things in the marketplace shows that processes and procedures have not been adequate,' Rachel told the ABC.

After defending Geoffrey, Rachel added that it wasn't just the entertainment industry that saw women the subject of harassment and inequality.

'It's a huge problem in the service industry, it's a huge problem in the hotel industry,' she said. 'If we have the conversation in our arena then great, but to make it about us is a massive distraction from the real work we need to do as a society.'

Allegations surfaced last week that Geoffrey acted inappropriately during a 2015 Sydney Theatre Company production of Shakespeare's King Lear.

Unfounded: She added: ''Geoffrey Rush is not Harvey Weinstein and I have had more than a handful of interactions with Harvey Weinstein' Rachel is pictured with Geoffrey and Melissa George

The production's director Neil Armfield also defended Geoffrey on Radio National on Wednesday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'The way that this has been spoken about has already set a kind of... I believe, a great injustice is being perpetrated,' he said.

The director added: 'In my time, in all the weeks and months of rehearsal and performance, I saw absolutely nothing other than an artist at the top of his form, leading a company with respect and playfulness and great artistry - and that's really all I have to say about it.'

Widespread: After defending Geoffrey, Rachel added that it wasn't just the entertainment industry that saw women the subject of harassment and inequality