A 37-year-old man from Hampton Park and a 14-year-old boy have been arrested following an alleged assault on a One Nation volunteer outside a residence on Victoria's Surf Coast. Police confirmed on Tuesday that the incident took place on Sunday night at a property on Scorpio Street in Torquay around 7:45 pm.
According to a police spokesperson, investigators were told the two males allegedly attacked the victim with a baseball bat before being apprehended by attending units shortly after the event. The 60-year-old victim was transported to a hospital where he received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
The adult suspect has been charged with intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offenses, and was remanded in custody to appear again on November 10. The juvenile suspect was issued with a caution instead of being charged.
One Nation's Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, described the alleged attack as "un-Australian and unacceptable," stating that it appeared to begin when the suspects interfered with One Nation signs on the victim's property. Pickering emphasized that political violence or intimidation is not tolerated in the country and urged citizens to vote rather than resort to assault.
Federal leader Pauline Hanson and Victorian deputy leader Colleen Harkin were expected to visit the victim in the hospital on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll condemned the incident as "shocking," asserting that volunteers of any political affiliation should not face attacks while campaigning. He called for a civil and peaceful election.
This event occurs amidst heightened security concerns for politicians in Victoria ahead of the state election scheduled for November 28. Police are currently searching for a woman involved in a separate incident last month involving Liberal MP Georgie Crozier, who was approached by an unknown individual while distributing flyers in Port Melbourne. Additionally, Emergency Services Minister Paul Edbrooke recently reported fears for his family's safety after finding a bullet etched with the word "RAT" on his car, while other MPs have also raised concerns regarding threats.
Sources: The Guardian World.