CCTV shows former PM Abbott walking down Hobart street moments before he was 'head-butted'
Police are appealing for witnesses as a video showing former Prime Minister Tony Abbott walking down a Hobart street moments before he was allegedly head-butted by a same-sex marriage supporter has been released.
Footage shows Mr Abbott walking with a staffer outside the Custom's House Hotel on Morrison Street in the Tasmanian capital a short moment before he was allegedly assaulted by a man wearing a 'yes' badge.
Tasmania Police said in a statement they would like to hear from the “other man who was allegedly involved in the incident” after Mr Abbott’s staffer stepped in to fend off the alleged attacker.
Speaking to Sky News presenter Andrew Bolt on Thursday night, Mr Abbott said the alleged attack serves as a "reminder of how ugly [the same-sex marriage] debate is getting".
"He wasn't very good at it I've got to say, but he did make contact," Mr Abbott said when revealing the alleged assault on the Herald Sun columnist’s programme.
"The only damage was a very, very slightly swollen lip."
A Tasmanian police spokeswoman was unable to confirm whether officers were investigating the assault or whether Mr Abbott had made a formal report.
In a post on Facebook regarding the matter, police said they “contacted the alleged victim after becoming aware of the claims”.
Mr Abbott labelled the alleged attacker's actions "politically motivated violence".
"It was just very disconcerting to find the love is love brigade, or a least someone who was advocating a yes vote, should, under the guise of wanting to shake your hand, in fact try to give you a so-called Liverpool kiss," he said.
It's believed the incident occurred about 4.35pm on Thursday on the footpath in Morrison Street opposite Custom's House Hotel.
Mr Abbott said the “only damage was a very, very slightly swollen lip".
A staffer from Mr Abbott's office tussled with the man before he ran off "swearing his head off".
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull phoned Mr Abbott when he heard about the attack and also discussed the matter with the Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin.
Mr Abbott was in Tasmania campaigning for the no campaign in the same-sex marriage survey along with Liberal Party colleague Eric Abetz.
Senator Abetz said it was disappointing a yes campaigner would try to assault a former prime minister.
"Must be condemned by all," he tweeted.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten described the attack as terrible.
"Violence like this is never acceptable. I'm glad Mr Abbott isn't seriously injured and I've rung him to say so," Mr Shorten said on Twitter.
People were quick to comment on the alleged assault, with many unsure how to take the story.
Of course, Abbott's making political mileage out of the alleged headbutt, saying'the attack exposed the ugly side of the Yes campaign'.
— Lellane (@Lellane) September 21, 2017
Tony Abbott lied about the ABC, SBS, Education, Healthcare and Energy... not sure if the headbutt is just another lie.
— 👨🏻💻 Kane (@Kaneosaurus) September 21, 2017
EVERYONE WANTS TO HEADBUTT TONY ABBOTT, he's no proof they're a Yes voter, b/c EVERYONE WANTS TO HEADBUTT TONY ABBOTT
— Aisha (@poorbelly) September 21, 2017
To be fair, it's not just Yes campaigners who want to headbutt Abbott.
— Kassandra Hall 🌈 (@khalllaw) September 21, 2017
Breaking: Police have narrowed down the suspects in the Tony Abbott headbutt case down to the LNP front bench and most of Australia #auspol
— Seano🏳️🌈 (@SeanBradbery) September 21, 2017
The alleged attack on Mr Abbott comes just a week after Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd revealed his godson had been bashed for supporting same-sex marriage.
So many warnings to Turnbull about what the postal vote cld unleash. Now my godson Sean has been punched standing up for #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/6maLZkNmfC
— Kevin Rudd (@MrKRudd) September 13, 2017
He tweeted a bloodied image of his godson, Sean, and said "so many warnings to Turnbull about what the postal vote could unleash".
