A disturbing video showing a man allegedly assaulting a election volunteer for Clive Palmer’s Trump of Patriots (TOP) party is a sad reflection on political debate, says one candidate.
The man—supposedly distressed with the TOP’s campaign messaging—can be seen yelling, “We were built on multiculturalism. These ads aren’t who what Australia is about,” after striking the volunteer with his leg and arm.
Police are investigating the incident.
The man who took the footage, which went viral on social media, was Panetta, and he says it was a clear example that freedom of speech in Australia has been eroded.
“You should be able to have a discussion [about political differences],” he told The Epoch Times on the final day of the federal election campaign.
“As it did turn out, he did have some issues. But once again, that’s no excuse for violence.
“I don’t mind someone saying, ‘Hey, I don’t agree with you,’ because that’s a healthy discussion.
Man Says He Apologised, Behaved Erratically
In a turn of events, Panetta said the man returned to the voting booth a number of times after the incident.“He apologised for his behaviour,” he said.
“But then he proceeded to say, ‘Where’s that One Nation guy?’ And I thought, ‘Oh, OK he’s got it in for me.’”
Panetta said the man’s behaviour was erratic, and it unsettled voters.
“He was very unpredictable. That was the biggest thing–people weren’t sure what he was going to do,” he said.
The man had returned four times, according to Panetta. One time, he returned after kicking the TOP car and another time, he began punching the wall until blood appeared.
“He should have been apprehended and held, just to keep the people safe. But he wasn’t.
“The times he came back, he was standing in the line, shadow boxing and practicing karate.”
Panetta’s protective parent instincts kicked in when he saw the man approach his young son to get a flyer.
He confronted the man and told him he had captured the initial incident on camera, after which he punched the wall.
Panetta said the man then apologised to the two Trumpets of Patriots volunteers for his behaviour.
Liberals Hold Seat, Panetta Vows to Continue
Meanwhile, Liberal candidate Jason Wood just managed to hold on to the seat of La Trobe.Wood received 47,434 votes to Labor’s Jeff Springfield on 42,202 in the two-party preferred vote
In first preferences, Panetta was in fourth with 6,799 votes, behind the Greens’ Jamie Longmuir.
But Panetta felt encouraged by his result and would like to continue running as a One Nation federal candidate in the future.
“What I do know is that our popularity has doubled, at least,” he said.
“And that’s a good sign. It [winning the seat] might not be this cycle, but it might be next.”
Panetta said he has seen a decline in living standards and safety since he migrated to Australia, and that was what inspired him to contest the seat of La Trobe for the nationalist party.
“I came in 1981, and it was the land of opportunity. You came here, you worked hard, you got a home, your family was safe, your kids could play out until the street lights came on,” he said.
“It was wonderful. Now, my kids don’t have the same opportunities that I had.”
He also noted issues with crime were significant—a sentiment Victorian voters have shared with The Epoch Times regularly.
“We’ve got stabbings, carjackings—crime is rampant. I believe the police are doing their jobs but I think they’ve also got their hands tied,” Panetta said.
“I’ve spoken to police who say, ‘I’ll catch the same perpetrator in the morning, and I’ll catch him again in the afternoon.’
“So I think we need some sort of reform. We need judges who are a little bit harsher. We need to set an example so we can stamp it out.”
