Labor candidate in Dawson target of suspected arson attack

Labor’s federal candidate in the north Queensland seat of Dawson has been targeted in a suspected arson attack, with evidence of a bag stuffed into the petrol tank of her car and set alight.

LABOR’S candidate in the north Queensland seat of Dawson has been targeted in a suspected arson attack.

In a disturbing incursion of violence into the election race, someone broke into the fuel tank of Belinda Hassan’s campaign car in an apparent attempt to blow up the vehicle.

The Labor candidate in the marginal seat noticed the fuel cap on her car was open this morning and called the police.

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A plastic bag appears to have been stuffed into the tank and set alight, The Courier-Mail can reveal.

Queensland Police are investigating the incident and have requested forensic tests on the vehicle.

The incident was reported to Mackay Police Station at 10am today and there is an ongoing investigation, a police spokeswoman said.

A shaken Ms Hassan confirmed the attack and claimed it was an example of “dirty tactics” in the race for the marginal seat.

“This has been a scary incident — and it’s extremely concerning behaviour in the context of a campaign. Politics should be better than these dirty tactics,” she said.

“I’m pretty disgusted that instead of fighting on policy, someone has resorted to a dangerous attempt at intimidation.”

Ms Hassan thanked the police for acting swiftly and said she would not let the incident deter her from campaigning.

She is running for the Mackay-based electorate, which is currently held by LNP MP George Christensen on a 3.4 per cent margin.

Mr Christensen today wrote on his Facebook page that there was “no room for cowardly attacks against public figures - in or out of politics - in Australia”.

“Anyone who supports a free and democratic society should join me in condemning this disgraceful actand calling for those involved to be punished to the full extent of the law,” he said.