Family First extends its thoughts and prayers to the One Nation volunteer allegedly bashed with a baseball bat at his Torquay home, and to his family, as he recovers from serious head injuries in Geelong Hospital.
The alleged attack, which left the 60-year-old local man bloodied, bruised and with bleeding on the brain, is a shocking escalation of the political violence that has marred Australia in recent days.
Family First leaders have responded expressing solidarity with the man and the wider One Nation community.
Moira Deeming, Family First Victorian Leader and Western Metropolitan Region MP, said:
"This is appalling. A man doing nothing more than putting up signs outside his own home has been left hospitalised with serious injuries. Political differences must never be settled with a baseball bat. Family First stands with every volunteer of every party who is simply exercising their democratic rights. We will not accept a climate where ordinary Australians are afraid to participate."
Lyle Shelton, Family First National Director and NSW Legislative Council candidate, said:
"What has happened is unAustralian. With hundreds of Family First volunteers and candidates on the ground campaigning in Victoria and New South Wales, their safety - and the safety of every other party's volunteers - is non-negotiable. Violence has no place in our democracy. We pray for the full recovery of this man."
Sarah Game, Family First MLC (South Australia), said:
"Political violence is a direct attack on the freedoms that have made Australia a great country. Whether you support Family First, One Nation or any other party, no volunteer should ever fear for their safety because of their political beliefs."
Family First reiterates that there is no place for violence in civil society. Australians must be free to advocate for the values they believe in - including faith, family and freedom - without fear of assault.
