One Nation volunteer hospitalized after alleged bat assault in Victoria
A 37-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were arrested following an incident in Torquay that party leaders are calling an un-Australian response to campaign signage.
By Amina Yusuf ·
A volunteer for the right-wing populist party One Nation suffered non-life threatening injuries after being allegedly struck with a baseball bat outside her home in Torquay, a suburb located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Melbourne. Two individuals were taken into custody on Sunday night following the incident, which has drawn sharp reactions from local politicians during the current state election campaign.
Police arrested a 37-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy. The man was charged with assault offenses and held in remand, while the boy received a caution. Officials confirmed the volunteer was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries but was not in critical condition.
Warren Pickering, the Victorian leader of One Nation, stated that the pair had interfered with election signs on the volunteer's property prior to the attack. He described the incident as unacceptable and argued that political disagreements should be resolved through voting rather than physical confrontation.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll called the attack shocking and emphasized the importance of volunteer safety across all political affiliations. He noted that individuals wearing campaign colors for various parties are performing a civic duty and should not face physical threats.
The incident occurs amid a wider review of political discourse in Australia, following a separate attack on Federal MP Helen Haines last month that resulted in the amputation of both her legs. Although police have not specified a motive for the Torquay assault, experts and officials have linked a rise in heated public debate to an increased risk of political violence in the country.
