Meddick assault probe twist
No evidence attack politically motivated
POLICE investigating an assault on crossbench MP Andy Meddick’s daughter have found no evidence she was targeted because of her father’s political views.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Thursday said police were still trying to identify a man wanted over the Fitzroy attack last Thursday night.
He refuted claims by Mr Meddick that the attack was politically motivated, saying investigators had so far found no evidence to suggest Kielan Meddick, 25, was targeted because of her father.
“We don’t have any evidence or intelligence to that effect, no,” Mr Patton told radio 3AW.
“The investigation is still ongoing.
“We released some CCTV footage earlier on and we still haven’t identified that male.”
A spray can was thrown at Ms Meddick’s head in what she labelled a “political” attack.
She suffered a 3cm gash that required three stitches.
Torquay-based Mr Meddick, from the Animal Justice Party, believes the assault was linked to his “role as an MP and the positions I have taken on the pandemic response”. He said he had been subjected to vile abuse since going public with his support for the pandemic Bill and his “worst fears turned into reality” when his daughter was assaulted.
However, police have cast doubt over this, saying Ms Meddick was confronted after spray-painting a poster on Smith St.
She was then confronted by the male and a dispute ensued, police said.
“The pair had an argument before the woman threw the spray can towards the man as she attempted to leave the scene,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.
“The man followed the woman and threw the spray can, which struck her in the back of the head.”