NSW Police have kicked off several investigations this week after a string of disturbing incidents linked to the federal election campaign, ranging from threats and physical altercations to the bizarre smearing of poo on a campaign truck.
The incidents, which have taken place across multiple electorates, have prompted the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and police to speak out about the need for respectful behaviour during the election period.
Poo smeared on Liberal campaign truck
In the Eden-Monaro electorate of NSW, tensions boiled over when a Liberal Party volunteer discovered that a truck displaying an ad critical of Labor’s vehicle emission policies had been smeared with poo. This included poo smears on the door handles.
NSW Police confirmed they are investigating the incident as “intentional damage”. The volunteer described the scene as “horrifying,” and the party has reported the matter to authorities.
Arson threats and intimidation
It hasn’t stopped there. Also in Eden-Monaro, a Coalition campaign office received a hand-written threat on Sunday: “If this office opens again it will be burnt to the ground!!!! Fuck you,” per The Guardian.
Local staff were told to take the threat seriously, and police have confirmed an investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, in the seat of Bennelong, NSW, a video obtained by Guardian Australia reportedly shows a man aggressively kicking, throwing, and removing Liberal campaign signs, while also shouting abuse at volunteers. Police said a 30-year-old man was arrested shortly after the incident and has since been charged with intimidation and granted conditional bail.
Physical assaults and vandalism
In Paterson, NSW, a marginal seat in the Hunter region, the Liberals allege that one of their volunteers was shoulder-charged at a polling station. Police confirmed they are investigating the alleged assault.
In the Sydney electorate of Watson, Tony Burke‘s corflutes were defaced with a red liquid, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald on April 17.
Elsewhere, the Liberal candidate for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese’s seat, reported that campaign corflutes had been defaced with swastikas. Greens campaign materials were also targeted with similar graffiti earlier this month.
A separate incident in Kooyong saw a Greens volunteer, Eliza, allege that a Liberal volunteer forcefully grabbed her arm during a dispute over campaign sign placement, as reported by Guardian Australia.
Diaspora communities targeted
Labor has also referred allegations to authorities, particularly regarding the behaviour of Liberal volunteers in the Victorian seat of Bruce, which has a large Afghan community. According to a letter from Labor official Jett Fogarty, a Liberal volunteer referenced Abdur Rahman Khan a historical figure linked to crimes against humanity in Afghanistan-in conversations with Pashtun and Hazara voters, allegedly to intimidate them.
Fogarty wrote, “I am concerned that the reason Liberal volunteers are invoking Abdur Rahman Khan’s name is to harass and intimidate members of the local Hazara community.”
Homophobic remarks
While no police investigation has been instigated, it’s worth noting that on Wednesday, Labor MP Jerome Laxale‘s father was caught on video spewing homophobic taunts at a polling booth. News.com.au published footage of Jerome’s father, Alain Laxale, making homophobic comments at a Bennelong polling booth.
Alain turned to a Liberal Party volunteer and asked, “How’s your boyfriend?”
The volunteer replied, “I’m not gay, buddy.”
Alain then followed up with, “How’s your bum? How’s your bum, sore today?”
Jerome has since issued an apology on his fathers behlaf: “I love my Dad, but the things he said were deeply offensive and completely unacceptable. He should not have said them. I’ve spoken to him and he regrets them, and apologises unreservedly.”
Electoral commissioner condemns aggression
The AEC’s electoral commissioner, Jeff Pope, has condemned the violence and intimidation. The AEC statement reads: “Isolated instances of aggression, intimidation and potential violence near prepoll venues are not in keeping with Australian democratic values.”
He added, “Campaign activities are a very important part of the federal election process, but lawful activities are a must, and respectful behaviour is a firm expectation.”
Pope also noted the limits of the AEC’s authority: “The AEC is not a police force and does not have jurisdiction to undertake conflict resolution or get in the middle of a dispute outside our polling places. However, we do have close relationships with local police forces around the country who are closely monitoring activities.”
As the election draws closer, authorities are urging everyone involved to keep things civil. The AEC has written to candidates and party branches to remind them that voters should be able to cast their ballots without feeling threatened or uncomfortable.
Police say investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information is urged to come forward.
Lead image: Facebook / Sydney Morning Herald
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