Candidate Says Violence Against Palmer Volunteer a Sign of Declining Political Debate

One Nation’s Leonardo Panetta filmed the incident.

Party Chairman Clive Palmer during the Trumpet of Patriots’ National Launch ahead of the 2025 federal election campaign in Sunshine Coast, Australia, on April 19, 2025. AAP Image/Danny Casey

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 One Nation candidate for La Trobe, Leonardo Panetta, he witnessed the incident at Uniting Church in Pakenham in Melbourne’s east on May 1.