Victoria police say alleged assault on One Nation supporter not politically motivated

Victoria police have clarified that an assault on a 60-year-old One Nation supporter outside his Torquay home was not politically motivated and involved a "blunt weapon" rather than a baseball bat, as initially reported. The incident, which occurred on Sunday night, led to the arrest of a 37-year-old man from Hampton Park and a 14-year-old boy. The man was charged with intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences and remains in custody pending a hearing on 10 November, while the teenager received a caution.

Police indicated the attack appeared to be random. Earlier on Tuesday, detectives said the victim was allegedly assaulted with a baseball bat, but the statement was later amended to describe a blunt weapon. A police spokesperson said detectives are not treating the incident as politically motivated.

One Nation federal leader Pauline Hanson visited the victim in Geelong hospital, describing the injuries as severe and potentially life-threatening. The party’s Victorian leader Warren Pickering said the victim was a volunteer and suggested the confrontation began when the man and the boy interfered with One Nation signs on the property. The party launched an online fundraiser that had raised more than $250,000 by Wednesday.

Victorian premier Ben Carroll condemned the assault as "abhorrent" and "disgusting," emphasizing that anyone is entitled to express political views peacefully.

"It was a vicious attack. It wasn’t just a punch," Hanson said. "Political violence or intimidation of any kind against anyone is unacceptable in this country," Pickering added. "This man putting up corflutes is entitled to do that. Every Victorian, no matter whether they’re wearing an orange, blue, red – or green for that matter – T-shirt, is entitled to put their case forward in a civil matter, in a civil way," Carroll said.