Liberal Candidate's Husband Assaulted Over Campaign Signs as Lambie Demands Apology from Hanson

The husband of Liberal candidate Amanda Dow was assaulted while retrieving campaign signage in Mernda on Tuesday afternoon.

Assault Incident

A Liberal Party spokesperson confirmed the incident occurred near the junction of Abundant Avenue and Bridge Inn Road at about 2 pm. The man approached a member of the public who was removing Liberal signs and was allegedly struck, sustaining facial injuries. He was taken to hospital and released later in the day. Police charged a 59‑year‑old Mernda resident with reckless causing of injury, criminal damage and unlawful assault. The accused has been bailed and is due to appear before Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on 1 February 2027. The party asked for privacy while the victim recovers.

Cartoon Row

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie said One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has not sent a personal apology for a “Please Explain” cartoon that mocked Lambie’s prolapsed vagina condition. Hanson publicly apologized and the video was removed, but Lambie said she has received no direct message or card. Mark Nicholson, the One Nation candidate in the Victorian election and co‑founder of Stepmates Studio that produced the cartoon, told ABC’s 7.30 that he would apologise only if he did something “apology‑worthy”. He claimed the piece drew attention to the medical issue, while Lambie urged him to quit the race.

Context

The assault adds to rising worries about candidate safety after the earlier attack on federal MP Helen Haines and comments from Victoria’s emergency services minister about being followed. The cartoon dispute highlights ongoing tensions between minor parties and One Nation over campaign conduct.