Bully banned from hustings while cops close investigation into alleged assault at The Cav

LABOR has promised the NT Electoral Commission a volunteer accused of bullying another campaign worker won’t be back

• CLP outraged following campaign incidents

LABOR has promised the NT Electoral Commission a volunteer accused of bullying a rival campaign worker won’t be back on the hustings, while police have closed an investigation into another election related fracas.

An NTEC spokesman confirmed no action had been taken against the volunteer after the Country Liberals’ campaigner said she was subjected to a verbal tirade from the union logo clad Labor man on Saturday.

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The spokesman said the commission had accepted assurances that the man would no longer be attending polling booths.

“We will take them on their word on that,” he said.

Meanwhile a spokeswoman for NT Police said its investigation into an alleged assault at the Cavenagh Hotel on Friday night in which Darwin businessman Ray Bail said his shirt was ripped by another union man had been finalised.

“Upon arrival, police ascertained a 70-year-old man was approached by an unknown man who blocked his way,” she said.

“The 70-year-old man pushed the unknown male to the side to get though.

“The unknown man grabbed hold of and pulled the 70-year-old man’s shirt, ripping it open.

“The unknown man then walked off towards Knuckey Street.”

The spokeswoman said officers had been unable to find the unknown man and unless further information came to light, the case would remain closed.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said every election campaign saw “little niggles” but “I absolutely hate it”.

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“I hate the trolling, I hate the games people play with corflutes, I hate the tension that can be at a booth,” he said.

“I send a very strong message to my party all the time about not buying in and ‘Don’t get involved, don’t the play game, just don’t’.”

The NTEC spokesman said it had received 44 largely minor complaints about election matters, only four of which remained unresolved.