A man campaigning for the passage of same-s*x marriage has allegedly headbutted the former Prime Minister of the country for opposing the campaign.
Australian artist Scott Marsh completes a mural artwork featuring the likeness of former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, marrying himself in Sydney.
Australian police charged a 38-year-old man on Friday for allegedly assaulting former prime minister and same-s*x marriage opponent Tony Abbott in the Tasmanian city of Hobart.
The man was charged with ‘Common Assault’ following an investigation into a complaint made by Abbott, Tasmania police said on its Facebook page. Abbott told local media he was “headbutted” by a man wearing a ‘yes’ badge in support of same-s*x marriage on Thursday evening.
Australia began a non-compulsory postal vote this month to determine whether it becomes the 25th country to legalize same-s*x marriage.
The emotionally charged campaign has seen an alarming volume of hate speech, spurring parliament to pass emergency legislation to outlaw opponents spewing their vitriol while the vote was in progress.
Former Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott
Abbott, who is actively campaigning for the ‘no’ side, sustained minor injuries from the attack including a slightly swollen lip.
Police did not comment on the motivation of the attack. Earlier this month, the godson of former prime minister Kevin Rudd was allegedly assaulted in Brisbane by a man who was tearing down rainbow flags put up in support of same-s*x marriage.
In May, Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce, who is openly gay, had a lemon meringue pie launched at his face in a protest about his advocacy for same-s*x marriage.
-Reuters