Man charged over Abbott ‘headbutt’

A MAN has been charged with assaulting Tony Abbott in Hobart.

The former prime minister said he was left shocked but unscathed after allegedly being headbutted by a same-sex marriage supporter while walking the streets of the city on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Abbott was leaving the Mercury newspaper office when a man yelled out and asked to shake his hand but allegedly turned the gesture into a headbutt.

“It is a shock to have a fellow Australian seeking to shake your hand and turn a handshake into an assault,” Mr Abbott said yesterday.

“Normally a handshake is a sign of trust and peace.”

Police yesterday charged a 38-year-old North Hobart man with common assault.

He was granted bail and is expected to front court on October 23.

Police said the man was wearing a “yes” badge at the time of the alleged attack.

Mr Abbott confirmed he had not had police protection since last year’s federal election campaign wrapped up, nor was he seeking it now.

He has since given a statement to Tasmania Police who are reviewing CCTV footage in the area where the alleged attack took place.

“My plea to everyone in the remaining weeks of this debate is to keep it courteous, keep it respectful, but above all else, respect the values, the institutions which have shaped us since the beginning of our journey and which I think should continue to shape us,” Mr Abbott said.

Mr Abbott was in Tasmania campaigning for the “no” vote in the national same-sex marriage survey, along with Liberal colleague Eric Abetz.

Senator Abetz had dinner with Mr Abbott after the incident and described him as “stirred, but not shaken”.

He agreed the incident was out of character for the broader “yes” campaign, but said ugliness on social media showed some would be empowered if the vote was successful.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull rang his predecessor after the incident and was in touch, via text, yesterday.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten described the attack as unacceptable.

“I’m glad Mr Abbott isn’t seriously injured and I’ve rung him to say so,” Mr Shorten said on Twitter.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said no one should be attacked for having a different view on marriage.

“It is an un-Australian thing to do and I hope that Tony is OK,” he told the Nine Network.