The DJ who headbutted former prime minister Tony Abbott on the Hobart waterfront last year will spend at least two months in prison.

What the magistrate said: Hobart man "motivated by contempt for Mr Abbott"

Hobart man "motivated by contempt for Mr Abbott" The "opportunity to do harm to him was created by a pretty cowardly deception"

The "opportunity to do harm to him was created by a pretty cowardly deception" "You're sorry your actions have resulted in adverse consequences for you ... rather than remorse for the offending itself"

Astro Labe, 38, was sentenced to six months in prison and will be eligible for parole after two months, upon which he will be required to pay $2,000 and commit no offence for two years.

He is subject to probation for 12 months after his release and will be required to undergo alcohol and drug counselling.

Labe pleaded guilty in January to causing harm to a Commonwealth public official after the incident on Hobart's waterfront on September 21, 2017.

In his sentencing remarks, Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly told Labe that the attack on Mr Abbott was "opportunistic and unprovoked".

Former prime minister Tony Abbott gave a press conference about the headbutting incident the day afterwards. ( ABC News: Selina Ross )

Magistrate Daly said Labe was apparently motivated by contempt for Mr Abbott, and later made comments to the media with "some relish".

The court heard Labe had been drinking at the Whaler pub in Salamanca Place when he saw Mr Abbott walk past.

Labe, who has worked as a DJ under the name "Funknukl", told his friends he wanted to headbutt Mr Abbott.

When he saw Mr Abbott walk past a short time later, Labe followed the former prime minister and asked if he could shake his hand.

When Mr Abbott extended his hand, Labe grabbed it and headbutted him, before walking off and saying "you f***ing deserved it".

Mr Abbott was left with a swollen lip after the incident.

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The magistrate told Labe it would have been difficult for a politician to refuse a handshake.

"Your opportunity to do harm to him was created by a pretty cowardly deception," Magistrate Daly said.

He said it appeared Labe had shown a lack of remorse immediately following the "highly public affair".

"You're sorry your actions have resulted in adverse consequences for you ... rather than remorse for the offending itself."

Sentence 'appropriate', says Abetz

Magistrate Daly acknowledged Labe's cooperation with investigators, and his early guilty plea, but said the sentence needed to be a deterrent to others.

"Intentionally causing an ideological opponent harm is not how differences are to be addressed in our society," he said.

Magistrate Daly said parliamentarians must be able to undertake their work without fear.

Labe told the ABC he was a "lone anarchist" who felt the need to headbutt Mr Abbott because he "didn't think it was an opportunity I'd get again".

At the time of the incident, Mr Abbott told the media the attacker was wearing a "Vote Yes" badge, with some people saying the incident was indicative of the pro-same-sex marriage campaign's tactics.

However, Labe stated after being charged that the incident "had nothing whatsoever to do with marriage equality".

In a statement, Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz said the sentence was "appropriate".

"In our democratic polity, everyone should be treated with respect and without any physical threats, intimidation or attacks," said Senator Abetz.

"The magistrate's recognition of the severity of this unprovoked attack is welcome.

"I trust that this sentence will see Mr Labe get the proper help he needs and send a clear message to the wider community that violence has no place in our democracy."