Volunteers working for Liberal party candidate Kacey Lam have been robbed at gunpoint while putting up signs in her Evatt electorate.
A tweet by the candidate described the incident as a "hijacking", in which their keys, wallets and phones were demanded by the offenders involved, and stolen.
ACT police have confirmed that around 12.15am on Tuesday morning, September 8, 2020, officers were called to the intersection of Owen Dixon Drive and Heydon Crescent in Evatt following a robbery where a firearm had been produced and a vehicle stolen.
"My vollies were victims of a hijacking overnight. They were popping up signs when a car stopped beside their car and demanded keys/wallet/phone at gunpoint," Ms Lam said.
"I'm shocked but what's most important is that they are okay. Reported to police and support has been offered.
"I have always felt safe while campaigning but unfortunately there are some unsavoury people out there. It's not targeted, it's wrong place wrong time. Campaign teams on all sides of politics should be aware."
Police said that the victim and another person were on the side of the road when a white sedan approached them.
My vollies were victims of a hijacking overnight. They were popping up signs when a car stopped beside their car and demanded keys/wallet/phone at gunpoint. I’m shocked but what’s most important is that they are okay. Reported to police and support has been offered. #actpol
— Kacey Lam (@kaceylam) September 8, 2020
One man exited the vehicle and demanded personal belongings before driving off in a Holden Trax with ACT registration YOG72C.
A car, believed to be the stolen vehicle, was recovered burnt out in Sutton on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone with information or dash-cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website, quoting reference 6626011.
Ms Lam further tweeted that she believed it was not a targeted offence but that the volunteers were in the "wrong place at the wrong time".
She tweeted that she had always felt safe while campaigning but issued a warning to other candidates to "stay safe".
ACT Liberal leader Alistair Coe said: "All parties have processes and procedures in place ... And we've reiterated those to all our volunteers to make sure that they're as a well equipped as possible and that they can identify risks, or threats. It's the sort of thing you just don't expect to happen in Canberra."
