Man and boy arrested after One Nation volunteer allegedly attacked with baseball bat in Victoria

Police in the Australian state of Victoria have arrested a 37-year-old man from Hampton Park and a 14-year-old boy over an alleged attack on a 60-year-old volunteer for One Nation, a right-wing populist party. The case matters because Victoria holds a state election on 28 November, and MPs and party workers are already on high alert.

What happened

According to police, the assault took place on Sunday evening at about 7.45pm outside the man's home on Scorpio Street in Torquay, on the Surf Coast. The pair allegedly attacked the victim with a baseball bat and were arrested by attending units a short time later. The victim was taken to hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

The man was charged with intentionally causing injury and other assault-related offences. He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court again on 10 November. The boy was given a caution.

Party response

One Nation's Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, called the alleged attack "un-Australian and unacceptable". He alleged it began when the man and the boy interfered with One Nation signs on the victim's property. Pickering said political violence or intimidation against anyone is unacceptable, and that people who dislike someone's politics should vote accordingly. The party's federal leader, Pauline Hanson, and Victorian deputy leader, Colleen Harkin, were expected to visit the victim in hospital on Tuesday morning.

Other incidents ahead of the election

Police are also searching for a woman in connection with an incident on 17 October in Port Melbourne. Liberal party MP Georgie Crozier, 62, was handing out flyers with volunteers outside a supermarket when an unknown woman who appeared to be substance affected approached her. A short time later a vehicle mounted a gutter near the group, swerved toward nearby traffic lights and left. Those involved were shaken but not physically hurt.

MPs in Victoria have been on high alert since the alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines last month. Last week, emergency services minister Paul Edbrooke said he believed he was being followed and feared for his family's safety after a bullet etched with the word "RAT" and his former firefighter number was left on his car. Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell and Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland have also raised concerns about threats.