Liberals' Politics in the Pub: Assault charge for Independent candidate's volunteer

The Liberals' Politics in the Pub night at Forestville RSL Club, was promoted as an opportunity for the public to meet incumbent Liberal Mackellar MP Jason Falinski and Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves.

Mr Falinski told the Northern Beaches Review there were fears of violence because of Deves' past controversial transgender comments, and subsequent death treats she has received. Waiting media were banned from the event and escorted from the club.

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"There was a view because Katherine's had death threats and given that there was Scamps and [Zali] Steggall volunteers in the room it [the media's attendance] would only heighten the situation," he said.

"There was view of let's turn the tap down by not having media in the room."

Ms Steggall has denied that any of her volunteers were at the event.

The embattled Warringah candidate Deves arrived late and was flanked by Liberal party minders.

The NBR understands that a 67-year-old man, Norris Smith, was just inside the club's doors as Deves walked in. He allegedly started screaming and then pushed one of Deves' campaign officials against the wall.

Smith has been among Dr Scamps' 1000-strong army of volunteers, but he quit the role within hours of the assault.

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An eye witness to the assault, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he saw the man acting suspiciously just inside the club's doors.

"There was a guy hiding behind a plant and it didn't look right," he said. "I turned around to watch Katherine walk through the door and this guy pounced.

"There was a little scuffle while people held him back from getting to Katherine."

The eye witness said he has "no doubts" the man was trying to get to Deves.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said a man has been charged with common assault following the incident.

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"About 6pm on Friday, April 22, officers from Northern Beaches PAC were called to the premises on Melwood Avenue following reports a volunteer at private function within the venue was allegedly pushed by a man in the front reception area. The man was escorted from the premises," she said.

"Following an investigation by officers from northern beaches police, a 67-year-old man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for the offence of common assault and will appear at Manly Local Court on May 25, 2022."

Dr Scamps said she had not asked Smith or any of her other volunteers to attend the event. Also, that she'd received his resignation via email at midnight on Friday.

"We get everyone to sign a code of conduct when they start, and he obviously realised he'd breached that so he stood down," she said.

Mr Falinski said it was the latest in a disturbing trend of violence in the lead up to elections. In May 2019, a Liberal volunteer was stabbed with a corkscrew while putting up campaign material outside Balgowlah Heights High School.

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The NBR has made numerous requests with the NSW Liberals for an interview with Deves during the past fortnight. An opportunity for an interview is yet to be granted.

Mr Falinski said while Deves has said a number of controversial things in the past, that she has since apologised and urged to her talk to the NBR.

"She should absolutely sit down and have a conversation," he said. "That would take a bit of the heat out of the situation."

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