Victoria Police Rule Out Political Motive in Alleged One Nation Supporter Assault

Victoria police have stated that an alleged attack on a One Nation supporter was not politically motivated, correcting earlier reports that a baseball bat was used.

Earlier this week, police arrested a 37-year-old Hampton Park man and a 14-year-old boy in connection with an alleged attack against a 60-year-old man outside his Torquay residence on Sunday night.

Police asserted on Tuesday that they believed the suspects assaulted the man prior to their arrest by responding units.

However, police revised their statement on Wednesday, removing the reference to a baseball bat and replacing it with an allegation that a “blunt weapon” was used instead.

A spokesperson clarified that detectives are not treating the incident as politically motivated.

Political leaders across the spectrum condemned the alleged attack. Federal leader Pauline Hanson visited the alleged victim at Geelong Hospital on Tuesday, while the party launched an online fundraiser later shared by Elon Musk. By 1pm Wednesday, the campaign had raised over $250,000.

One Nation declined to comment on Wednesday.

Hanson alleged on Tuesday that the victim had been “kicked so severely he lost consciousness”, describing him as being left “bleeding from basically every orifice in his face” and suffering from a brain bleed.

Hanson characterised the incident as a vicious attack, stating it was “not just a punch”, and noted that even with the bleeding, it remains potentially life-threatening.

Warren Pickering, the Victorian leader of One Nation, said on Tuesday the victim was a volunteer. He alleged the incident occurred after the man and the boy “interfered with” the One Nation signs on the property.

“Political violence or intimidation of any kind against anyone is unacceptable in this country,” Pickering stated.

“If you disagree with someone’s politics, you vote accordingly. You don’t assault them,” he stated.

At ABC Radio Melbourne, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll reiterated his condemnation, calling the alleged attack “abhorrent” and “disgusting”.

Carroll added that putting up corflutes is entitled, stating every Victorian, regardless of their political affiliation, has the right to present their case civilly.

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