How a campaign poster sparked a scuffle between a One Nation volunteer and Liberal Senator James Paterson at polling booth
An altercation between Shadow Defence Minister James Paterson and a One Nation supporter has been filmed at the polling booths ahead of the Farrer by-election this weekend.
The incident unfolded at the Woolshed pre-polling booth in Albury on the NSW and Victorian border late on Wednesday afternoon as Paterson handed out flyers for the Liberal candidate.
The video shows the orange-shirted volunteer going up to Paterson and arguing about a campaign poster that attacked One Nation’s candidate David Farley.
‘You wouldn’t spend the money (on the poster) if you didn’t think it was going to be defamatory to change the vote, you’re a lying prick,’ the man said.
‘You are s**t scared (of One Nation).’
Paterson then got out his phone and pointed it at the man giving him a serve, which prompted the altercation to turn physical when the volunteer objected to being filmed without giving permission.
‘Don’t video me mate,’ the man warns.
Paterson told the man it was a public place and he was allowed to film, at which the man grabbed the phone from his hands.
Liberal Senator James Paterson and a One Nation volunteer had words before a brief scuffle broke out over a campaign poster attacking the minor party’s candidate
Paterson then yelled ‘oi, give that back’ and the pair briefly wrestled for the device.
Another One Nation volunteer can be heard telling the man to ‘let it go’ and admonishing him for the altercation.
Paterson later explained the poster in question was by the Nationals and it focused on Farley’s ties with the Labor Party. He reportedly tried for preselection with Labor before turning to One Nation.
‘He said it’s defamatory and we should be ashamed but… it’s true,’ Paterson told The Australian.
‘It shows One Nation are very sensitive about legitimate scrutiny to physically threaten someone over a sign.’
Senator Paterson is understood to have altered the Australian Federal Police about the incident.
The One Nation candidate wrote a statement on social media saying he had spoken to Paterson.
‘I was made aware of an incident which occurred at a polling booth in Albury today, involving a volunteer for my campaign, and an elected Senator of the Liberal Party who I have personally spoken with to ensure he is ok,’ Mr Farley wrote.
The man, who did not give his name, claimed the Coalition was ‘s**t scared’ of One Nation
‘I want to reaffirm my commitment to respectful behaviour and inclusive participation in our democratic process. I condemn in the strongest terms aggression of any form on the campaign trail, and I will not hesitate to act when made aware of bad behaviour.
‘My campaign team will co-operate fully with a police investigation should the Liberal Party deem it necessary.’
