Man punches Trumpet of Patriots volunteer at Melbourne pre-polling centre

The heated confrontation was captured on camera at a Melbourne pre-polling centre as people waited in line to vote.

A Trumpet of Patriots volunteer has been punched and kicked during an altercation at a Melbourne pre-polling centre ahead of Saturday’s federal election, in a disturbing incident captured on video.

Footage taken by those in line on Thursday at a voting station in Pakenham, in the city’s southeast, shows the man, a cyclist wearing a helmet, kicking and punching the volunteer for Clive Palmer’s political party, in a yellow T-shirt, during a heated confrontation.

“We are built on multiculturalism,” the cyclist yells.

“These ads … aren’t what Australia is about. This is not uniting Australia, this is dividing Australia. This party is a scam.”

Onlookers can be heard snickering.

The video was uploaded to X on Thursday by Rukshan Fernando.

It is not clear if the man was there to vote or is an activist.

Police reportedly attended the scene and spoke to the man. No arrests or charges have been made.

Victoria Police told news.com.au that they were investigating the incident.

“Officers were told that an altercation occurred between two men in James Street about 11.10am,” a spokesperson said.

“No one required medical treatment. A vehicle was also damaged.

“The exact circumstances are being investigated.”

A Trumpet of Patriots volunteer has been punched and kicked at a Melbourne pre-poll both ahead of Saturday’s federal election, in a disturbing incident captured on video. Credit: Rukshan Fernando

Police asked witnesses or anyone with footage to get in touch.

News.com.au has contacted Trumpet of Patriots for comment.

Meanwhile, social media is being flooded with complaints from people getting repeat messages from Harry Fong, the Trumpet of Patriots’ lead Senate candidate for Queensland.

The messages are signed off by Mr Fong, and urge people to “Vote1 (sic) Trumpet of Patriots”.

Phones started pinging over the weekend, but the messages seemingly ramped up on Monday afternoon and continued well into Tuesday.

According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, sending political text messages during local, state and territory or federal election campaigns is exempt from most spam and telemarketing rules.

Originally published as Man punches Trumpet of Patriots volunteer at Melbourne pre-polling centre