The husband of a Liberal candidate for next month’s Victorian state election has allegedly been bashed after trying to stop a campaign sign from being torn down.
The alleged victim, whose wife Amanda Dow is contesting the seat of Yan Yean in Melbourne’s north-east, was taken to hospital to be treated for facial injuries after the incident, which took place in Mernda at about 2pm on Sunday.
Victoria Police said the alleged incident occurred when Ms Dow’s husband tried to “retrieve political campaign signage when he was assaulted”.
They later arrested a 59-year-old man from Mernda, and charged him with reckless cause injury, criminal damage and unlawful assault. He was released on bail, and will face Heidelberg Magistrates Court on February 1.
The incident comes amid growing concerns about left-wing political violence and terrorism in Australia, following an alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines in regional Victoria last week.
Far-left extremists have also targeted One Nation events in Melbourne and called for the death of Pauline Hanson, carried out a series of violent attacks on patriotic protesters at rallies, firebombed a defence manufacturer, and set off a bomb at the Land Forces expo.
The Victorian Liberal Party said in a statement it could not comment on the incident as it was now a police matter.
“The Liberal Party is aware of an incident involving the husband of our candidate for Yan Yean, Amanda Dow, in Mernda on the afternoon of Sunday 25 October,” the party said in a statement.
“We understand Ms Dow’s husband approached a member of the public who was removing Liberal Party campaign signage and was allegedly assaulted.”
“He suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital and was discharged on Monday. We ask that the privacy of Ms Dow and her husband be respected while he recovers.”
Labor Premier Ben Carroll also condemned the incident, which he called “shocking”, and said he had met with the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police and the Electoral Commissioner, who were working to keep voters and campaigners safe.
“Whether you are wearing a green shirt, red shirt, or a blue shirt, whether you’re a volunteer, whether you’re a candidate or a family member, everyone should be safe and secure leading into this election,” he said.
Ms Dow, a teacher, small business owner and mother-of-one, hoping to win the marginal electorate from Labor’s Lauren Kathage.
According to a Newspoll published on Sunday night, the Coalition is ahead of Labor 55-45 on a two-party preferred basis ahead of the November 28 vote, and Opposition leader Jess Wilson leads Mr Carroll as preferred premier 48% to 34%, with 18% undecided.
The poll has the Coalition leading with 33% of the primary vote, followed by Labor on 24%, One Nation on 20%, and the Greens on 14%.
Header image: Left, Amanda Dow. Right, one of her campaign signs (Facebook).
