Federal election, Mackellar: Police called after independent’s campaign volunteer allegedly pushes woman
Disturbing CCTV footage has emerged of a campaign volunteer for a federal election candidate allegedly pushing a woman who confronted him about placing campaign posters on the street..
Manly
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Disturbing CCTV footage has emerged of a campaign volunteer for a federal election candidate allegedly pushing woman who confronted him about placing campaign posters on the street.
The volunteer for independent candidate Sophie Scamps, who is running in the Sydney northern beaches’ seat of Mackellar, can be seen apparently pushing the woman as she speaks to him outside sitting Liberal MP Jason Falinski’s electorate office.
As the man installs a series of three-sided campaign poster around trees on the footpath along Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen, about 6am on Wednesday, security camera footage shows the woman, who is walking a black dog, stop to speak to him.
But as the conversation appears to get heated, and the woman follows the man, he appears to sharply push the woman away.
The footage appears to show the woman talking on a mobile phone as she confronts the campaign volunteer.
The Manly Daily understands that the woman has no connection to the Liberal Party, Mr Falinski or his re-election campaign.
It is understood that she told police that she was complaining to Dr Scamps’ campaign volunteer about the high number of election posters being placed throughout her neighbourhood, by all candidates in Mackellar.
Police have confirmed that have spoken to the woman abut the incident.
In a statement police said that officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended an office on Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen, just after 6am on Wednesday.
They said they had received information that a man and woman were involved in a verbal altercation outside the office, before the woman claimed the man pushed her shoulder and walked away.
“The woman, aged 48, was uninjured and police were contacted,” according to the statement.
“Initial inquiries have led police to believe the man and woman are not known to each other.
“As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to come forward and contact Northern Beaches police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Dr Scamps’ campaign office said it was aware of an incident that took place on Wednesday that was under investigation by police.
“One of the people involved was a volunteer with the campaign,” a campaign spokesman said.
“The volunteer has since resigned and has been removed from the campaign.
“The 1,200-plus volunteers involved in Sophie’s campaign all sign a code of conduct that ensures they adhere to the highest level of integrity and follow Sophie’s example to lead a positive and polite campaign.
“It is important that everyone in Mackellar, and across Australia, engages in respectful debate in the final days of this election.”
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