A WELL known conservative media commentator alleges he was “assaulted in broad daylight” on a Melbourne street.

Simon Breheny, director of policy at free-market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs and regular guest on shows including the ABC’s The Drum, tweeted about the incident on Wednesday night.

I was assaulted today in broad daylight on Collins St by this degenerate. Dismayed that no one stepped in to assist but very grateful to the helpful members of @VictoriaPolice that responded so quickly.



I'm appalled that things have gotten so bad here in Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/Nu4vU9r14I — Simon Breheny (@Simon_Breheny) January 10, 2018

“I was assaulted today in broad daylight on Collins St by this degenerate,” Mr Breheny wrote, attaching a photo of a tattooed, bearded, shoeless man wearing a red shirt, fist clenched, alongside pictures of his alleged injuries, torn clothes and broken glasses.

“Dismayed that no one stepped in to assist but very grateful to the helpful members of @VictoriaPolice that responded so quickly. I’m appalled that things have gotten so bad here in Melbourne.”

Mr Breheny said he did not believe the attack was due to his work for the Liberal-aligned think tank. “Completely random,” he tweeted. “Just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, unfortunately.”

In a statement to news.com.au, Mr Breheny said, “This violent attack was random, unprovoked and vicious. It’s so disturbing that something like this can happen on a busy city street in broad daylight.

“I think it’s concerning that these attacks are on the rise in Melbourne. Something that shocked me was that no one tried to intervene. I think it’s such a disappointing reflection on where things are at the moment that an attack like this can take place and no one steps in to help.

“I think it shows the need for more police resources to be dedicated to violent crime. It’s unacceptable for this to occur, and it’s even worse when the perpetrators are not brought to justice.”

In a statement, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said, “Police are looking for a man who assaulted another man on Collins Street about 4:50pm yesterday (10 January).

“It is believed the man grabbed the second man and threw him to the ground before smashing his glasses and binning them. The man then ripped the victim’s jacket before fleeing along Queen Street.

“No arrests have yet been made. The offender, who was Caucasian and described as aged in his 30s, was wearing black jeans, a red T-shirt and no shoes or socks.

“The 30-year-old victim did not sustain injuries. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

In June last year, News Corp columnist Andrew Bolt “clobbered” a group of masked left-wing protesters who attacked him outside a Melbourne restaurant.

In September, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott was headbutted on a Hobart street by a 38-year-old self-confessed “anarchist”, and in November Mr Abbott’s sister, City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster, was attacked by a group of Manus Island protesters outside a Liberal Party fundraiser in Redfern.

frank.chung@news.com.au