Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull condemns alleged headbutt on Tony Abbott as vote on gay marriage looms
Marriage equality supporters have been quick to condemn the incident and denounce political violence but opponents have used it to rally against same-sex marriage
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has condemned an alleged headbutt of Tony Abbott by a marriage equality supporter but says the incident is one of “a relatively small number” of such cases in the postal survey campaign.
Speaking to 3AW Radio on Friday, Turnbull said it was “a disgraceful incident” and urged calm after what he said amounted to an assault of the former prime minister. “Any violence coming into our political life is absolutely to be condemned,” he said.
The Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz has claimed that the alleged incident is a “harbinger” of more violence, despite conceding it is not indicative of the yes campaign generally.
Marriage equality supporters have been quick to condemn the incident and denounce political violence but opponents have used it to rally against same-sex marriage.
Turnbull said Australia had a tradition of respectful political debate “sometimes with strong views expressed, but without violence”.
This is one of a number, a relatively small number of incidents, but any one is one too many
“This is one of a number, a relatively small number of incidents, but any one is one too many.”