One Nation volunteer hospitalized after alleged assault in Victoria

A One Nation volunteer was hospitalized with serious injuries, including brain bleeding, after an alleged assault at his home in Torquay, near Geelong, on Sunday night. Police responded to a call at about 7:45 p.m. and said a 60-year-old man was struck with a baseball bat. The victim was taken to Geelong Hospital in stable condition.

A 37-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were taken into custody. The adult was charged with intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences and appeared before Geelong Magistrates Court, with a further hearing set for November 10. The teenager received a caution.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson visited the victim and his family in hospital and described his condition, noting extensive bruising and swelling. She shared a crowdfunding link to support the family.

Premier Ben Carroll condemned the attack, stating that volunteers of any political affiliation should not be targeted. Opposition leader Jess Wilson called the incident "appalling" and urged respect for the right to express political views without fear of violence.

One Nation’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering described the assault as "un-Australian" and urged voters to respond to political disagreement through the ballot box rather than violence. He also referenced recent vandalism of One Nation signage in Ballarat.

The incident follows a similar assault on a One Nation staffer in Brisbane earlier this year. Victoria’s state election is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, with Labor, the Coalition and One Nation contesting the vote.