The former Australian prime minister, Tony Abbott, has been assaulted in Hobart.
Mr Abbott, who has been campaigning for the ‘No’ vote in the same-sex marriage postal survey, said he was “headbutted” by a yes campaigner after attending a private function in the Tasmanian capital on Thursday afternoon.
“I was walking from the Mercury office across that docks area, that beautiful docks area in Hobart, towards my hotel,” Mr Abbott told Steve Price and Sky News host Andrew Bolt on Melbourne’s 3AW radio on Thursday.
“A fellow sung out at me ‘Hey Tony!’ I turned around, there was a chap wearing a Vote Yes badge. He says ‘I wanna shake your hand’. I went over to shake his hand and then he headbutted me.”
“Now he wasn’t very good at it I’ve gotta say, but he did make contact. The only damage was a very, very slightly swollen lip.”
Mr Abbott said a member of his staff “briefly grappled” with the man, before he broke away “swearing his head off.”
“It was very disconcerting to find … someone who under the guise of wanting to shake your hand gives you a so-called Liverpool kiss,” Mr Abbott said.
“As he was scuttling away, amidst all the F this and F that, was ‘you deserve it because of all the things you’ve said’. I think it was pretty clear it was … politically motivated violence.”
He added: “It was just a reminder of how ugly this debate is getting.”
Alex Greenwich MP, leader of the Australian Marriage Equality campaign, was quick to condemn the attack.
“There is absolutely no place for violence in the marriage equality debate. This is about treating people fairly and with respect & dignity,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Marriage equality is about respect and dignity for every Australian … our campaign has always and will continue to call for respect and everyone involved in this debate to act in a respectful and dignified way,” he said in a separate statement.
Senator Penny Wong also spoke out about the attack, tweeting: “Ours is a campaign of hope, respect and unity. Our actions should reflect that. Violence is never acceptable.”
Tasmania Police are now investigating the alleged assault “involving a 59-year-old man from New South Wales” after a formal complaint was made.
“Tasmania Police contacted the alleged victim after becoming aware of the claims and the man has made a formal complaint,” it said in a statement.
“Police would particularly like to hear from the other man who was allegedly involved in the incident and have urged him to come forward.”
Anyone with information about the alleged incident should contact Tasmania Police on 131444 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppertas.com.au.
