A shocking incident outside a Sydney polling booth left an elderly man seriously injured just days before the federal election.

What began as a routine visit to cast a vote quickly spiralled into chaos, drawing the attention of both witnesses and police.

The unsettling confrontation has now led to charges and raised questions about the safety of public spaces during high-stakes political moments.

An unsettling incident outside a Sydney polling booth on 23 April afternoon left an elderly man in serious condition ahead of the federal election.

The altercation occurred around 1:00 pm outside the Ashfield Town Hall on Liverpool Rd, where a 79-year-old man was allegedly struck by a 17-year-old teenager, NSW Police confirmed.

Witnesses reported that the elderly man, wearing a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat, was in the process of defacing an election poster of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese when a female volunteer confronted him.

Teenager arrested after assault on 79-year-old man. Image source: 7NEWS

The confrontation escalated when the volunteer began filming, and the teenager, believing she was in danger, intervened by striking the elderly man from behind.

The force of the blow caused the man to fall to the ground, sustaining serious injuries.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene, treating the man before transporting him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for further treatment.

Police arrested the 17-year-old at the scene and took him to Burwood Police Station, where charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm were laid.

The teenager was denied bail and was scheduled to appear in children's court the following day.

It has been clarified that there is no indication the teenager was connected to any political group.

The Australian Electoral Commission confirmed that voting continued as scheduled at the Ashfield pre-poll centre.

A crime scene was established at the location, and specialist officers were tasked with investigating the incident further.

Ashfield falls within the federal electorate of Grayndler, which is currently held by Prime Minister Albanese.

In a previous story, we explored the debates surrounding Australia Day and its significance to different communities.

The issue of vandalism tied to the holiday has sparked heated reactions from all sides.

To dive deeper into the controversy and understand the broader implications, read the full details here.

Key Takeaways

• A 79-year-old man was seriously injured outside a Sydney polling booth on 23 April.
• The altercation occurred after the man allegedly vandalised a political poster and was struck by a 17-year-old teenager.
• The teenager was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
• Voting continued as scheduled at the Ashfield pre-poll centre, with a crime scene established for investigation.

What do you think can be done to prevent violence like this outside polling stations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

They may need to employ police or bodyguards to protect everyone. Can anyone tell me how the female turned into a male attacker?

She momentarily changed her gender from female to male

 

[Jest]

if antagonised, i would not stand back.
Anyway I have lost all interest as the lies from labour are disgusting. Why the hell can he not just talk about their plans instead of repetitive remarks, all lies about the LNP.

 

[Wombat2u2004]

if antagonised, i would not stand back.
Anyway I have lost all interest as the lies from labour are disgusting. Why the hell can he not just talk about their plans instead of repetitive remarks, all lies about the LNP.

Unfortunately, there are those rusted on individuals who respond to those lies as if they are gospel. No wonder the country goes backward when their choice of leaders win the vote. As evidenced by the last few years of the idiots in charge.

 

[Phantom55]

I thought elections were for the community to cast their vote for a candidate....these people that seem to resent someone voting different to them, is doing something wrong...that is why we vote ...it's not compulsory for people to all vote for one candidate only...seems dumb to me...shows the mentality of some voters.....

 

[Wombat2u2004]

I thought elections were for the community to cast their vote for a candidate....these people that seem to resent someone voting different to them, is doing something wrong...that is why we vote ...it's not compulsory for people to all vote for one candidate only...seems dumb to me...shows the mentality of some voters.....

Stay tuned. This has only just begun.

 

[Leenie]

I'm shitting myself to death with your comments.

Now where did I put my Depends....

Vegepatch you are in top form today, thanks for the laughs.

And so the divide between left and right widens.
This will only get worse I fear.
Australia is going down the gurgler.

not going it has gone .

 

[Leenie]

He was probably Chinese.

There are more Chinese living in Ashfield than Australians!

There is a Chinese settlement recently set up here ,a few kilometres out off the highway,only found out when a helicopter kept circling over our homes at Xmas .

 

[Veggiepatch]

You are of course referring to the 17-year-old, aren't you ?

No.

And no explanation is required.

 

[duckiedoodle]

Why are there all these persons ridiculing and running down the 79 year old.
Are they ones who allow our current young persons get away with any action !!!
The fact is that stupid actions were caused by young and old !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why does the 79 year old think it's ok to deface someone else's property? I really don't care what hat he was wearing, it's wrong to destroy other people's property. He started the whole thing with his vandalism, then it would appear he got agro to the female volunteer, at which point the teenager intervened. In my view, the teenager was the only adult in this situation. It's just bad luck for the old guy that he got hurt when he fell but he brought it all on himself.

 

[Jest]

MAGA I would wear if I had one. It can mean anything and this young upstart needs a good lesson, like an upper-cut.

 

[Jest]

I'm shitting myself to death with your comments.

Now where did I put my Depends....

you are too late for those. I agree with WIZARD.

 

[Jest]

The 17 year old thought the man was attacking the woman that is why he intervened

were you in attendance?

 

[Jersey Girl]

The old man should not have been defacing the poster, no matter what he thought of the candidate. BUT, the kid should not have hit him from behind. What a cowardly attack!
The old guy was 79, surely the kid could have just grabbed his arm or pushed the volunteer out of the way?

 

[7777]

I can recall voting days would be where people remain calm and stand in line to cast their votes, no scuffle, no yelling and no violence. It appears that times are changing, and the presence of law need to be seen at each and every voting designated area. Either police or security now need to be present for the safety of voters. An alternative is to allow electronic voting for all, creating a safer way to vote.

 

[7777]

Times are changing and more police protection is required in places where there are crouds. I can recall on voting days, people would calmly stand in line waiting to cast their votes with no yelling, no scuffles and no violence. Today we find it has become imperative that people feel safe when votingwhich can be possible with police or security at all voting areas. Alternatively, allow electronic voting for the safety of all,

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

And so the divide between left and right widens.
This will only get worse I fear.
Australia is going down the gurgler.

so very true and it all started with the utter moron of a PM ..... truly, this bloke is 'as dumb as dogshit'

 

[Wombat2u2004]

so very true and it all started with the utter moron of a PM ..... truly, this bloke is 'as dumb as dogshit'

You've got that right mate. He's gotta be the worst we've had since Gough Witless.

 

[7777]

To provide safe grounds for voters on voting day, security or police need to be present at every designated voting area. I can recall voting days where people would calmly wait in line to cast their vote, without any scuffles, rage or violence. It appears that times are changing and that where ever there is a croud of people, police or security need to be present. Alternatively, another method of voting could be made possible where votes could be done on line making it safe for all to vote.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

You've got that right mate. He's gotta be the worst we've had since Gough Witless.

Indeed he is ...... if only we could get rid of this Commie bastard and rest of his Labor minions!

 

[Wombat2u2004]

Indeed he is ...... if only we could get rid of this Commie bastard and rest of his Labor minions!

I hope we do mate. But we have to outgun the rusted on's and the millions of immigrants he has brought into the country that congregate in their own communities, outnumbering the existing Aussie residents, so that the latter votes count for nothing.