news, local-news,

For the second time in two days, a supporter of Macarthur’s Liberal candidate Russell Matheson has been assaulted outside a pre-polling centre in Ingleburn. The Advertiser has been told the man, aged in his late teens to early 20s, was elbowed in the chest and “thrown around” by a union supporter aged in his 40s or 50s. Police are currently on the scene taking a statement. Yesterday Errol Gavin, an elderly man aged in his 70s, allegedly hit his head on the ground after being pushed by a unionist. There have been several reports in the last couple of weeks of unionists intimidating Liberal supporters at pre-polling centres throughout the marginal seat of Macarthur. Both Mr Matheson and Labor’s candidate for the local seat, Dr Michael Freelander have condemned any violence or aggression from supporters of either party. The importance of Macarthur to both parties has been evident in the last few months. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop have been regular visitors to Macarthur while opposition leader Bill Shorten declared Labor could not win the election if Dr Freelander was not elected. The Advertiser understands CCTV cameras recently installed by Campbelltown Council monitor the area and could be used by police investigating the assault.

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