A 37-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy have been arrested in Torquay, Victoria, Australia, after a volunteer for the One Nation party was allegedly attacked with a baseball bat outside their home. Police stated the man was charged with assault offenses and taken into custody, while the boy received a caution. The volunteer sustained injuries that are not life-threatening and was hospitalized.
One Nation's Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, suggested the incident occurred after the pair allegedly interfered with the volunteer's election signs. Pickering condemned the alleged assault as "un-Australian and unacceptable," emphasizing that political violence or intimidation is not tolerated and that disagreements should be addressed through voting.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll called the attack "shocking," asserting that volunteers, regardless of their political affiliation, should not face such violence. This incident occurs during the state election campaign and amid broader national discussions about the tone of political discourse in Australia. The country has seen heightened concerns about political violence following a recent attack on Federal MP Helen Haines, which resulted in her needing amputations for both legs.