Tasmanian man was charged on Friday after he allegedly head-butted former Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia in Hobart. Tasmania Police said they arrested and charged a 38-year-old North-Hobart man with “one count of common assault following a police investigation into a complaint made by Tony Abbott.” “The man was granted bail and is expected to appear in court on Oct. 23,’’ police said.

Police said the man was wearing a “Yes” badge, in support of same-sex marriage, at the time of the attack that took place when Abbott was returning leaving a meeting at a local newspaper office on Thursday. Abbott said that he was left shocked and with a very slightly swollen lip. He told newsmen that a man had yelled out his name and asked to shake his hand, but instead, head-butted him.

Australia is currently holding a legally non-binding postal survey asking 16 million voters whether to change the law to allow gay couples to marry. Abbott, a conservative politician, has been campaigning against it stridently for the past few weeks. “It is a shock to have a fellow Australian seeking to shake your hand and turn a handshake into an assault. Normally a handshake is a sign of trust and peace,’’ Abbott said outside his hotel. According to Abbott, he does not have police protection since 2016 federal election campaign.

The Nation