CLP outraged following campaign incidents

THE CLP is considering police action after two serious incidents in the leadup to the Territory election

THE Country Liberal Party is considering police action after the NT election campaign turned ugly over the weekend with two serious incidents.

Police were called to the first incident after Darwin businessman Ray Bails, 70, said he was assaulted at the Cavenagh Hotel on Friday night by a man wearing a union T-shirt.

On Saturday, a young female campaign worker manning a station for CLP Fannie Bay candidate Tracey Hayes collapsed in tears after she was surrounded by two burly men wearing union T-shirts, and subjected to a tirade of abuse and bullying until bystanders came to her rescue.

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The CLP also want police to access CCTV footage at two sites to help identify those responsible for vandalising Port Darwin candidate Toby George’s city corflutes and those belonging to Fong Lim candidate Kylie Bonanni at Stuart Park. Mr George said he had about 50 corflutes either destroyed or defaced while the same had happened to Ms Bonnani.

The incidents occurred just days after social media trolls who levelled “vitriolic” abuse at Ms Hayes were warned they could be liable for fines as high as $15,500 if found guilty of breaching the NT’s Electoral Act, the NT Electoral Commission has warned.

CLP President Ron Kelly has slammed the conduct of individuals towards CLP members and campaign staff following two incidents. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

The Territory’s peak corruption watchdog, ICAC, has also entered the fray warning against “anti-democratic conduct”.

CLP president Ron Kelly has called the bullying and intimidation of the young female campaign worker and the assault on the businessman “despicable acts of thuggery”.

Ms Hayes said she was livid over the attack on her campaign helper.

“The bullying and intimidation by the two men was cowardly, targeted and illegal,” she said.

“They didn’t target a man, they picked the youngest and smallest girl, half their size, and stood next to her swearing at her and terrorising her until she broke down.’’

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The campaign worker spoke to the NT News but was too scared to be named and said the men were so close they were touching her.

“I just didn’t know what to do, I just froze. I was terrified and I pleaded with them to stop. Then I couldn’t take the harassment and bullying anymore and I just broke down,” she said.

“I wonder what satisfaction they got out of destroying me like they did.”

Early voting for the election continues this week ahead of polling day on Saturday.