Vandals have smashed the windows and doors of the Liberal leadership contender Peter Dutton’s electoral office in Strathpine, north Brisbane, overnight on Aug. 23.
Queensland Police were alerted to the damage at 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 24 by a passerby. Police believe the vandalism occurred around 1:45 a.m.
Police are investigating significant damage caused to an office overnight in Strathpine. Police were called to the Gympie Road address by a member of the public, to find brick pavers had been thrown at the windows causing extensive damage https://t.co/CyyfKc5GAP
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) August 23, 2018
A Twitter post on the Queensland Police account reads: ‘“Police are investigating significant damage caused to an office overnight in Strathpine. Police were called to the Gympie Road address by a member of the public, to find brick pavers had been thrown at the windows causing extensive damage.”
Vandals smash windows of office of federal Liberal MP Peter Dutton in the north of Brisbanehttps://t.co/FjnBZwMwNk pic.twitter.com/W5x8XfWqmp
— ABC Brisbane (@abcbrisbane) August 23, 2018
Four reinforced glass windows and two glass doors were smashed, according to police. There were also punctured holes on the walls inside the office caused by the bricks.
Under attack: brick pavers used to smash 2 doors and 4 windows at Peter Dutton’s electorate Office. @sunriseon7 pic.twitter.com/3TYFTOfnZZ
— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) August 23, 2018
The damage was being repaired—the glass was being replaced as of the morning of Aug. 24, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Graffiti was also spotted on a footpath near Dutton’s office, including slogans such as “Deport Dutton,” as well as another obscene comments about 200 meters from his office, the ABC reported.
Upon hearing the news, locals chimed in with what they thought about the destructive acts.
“Everyone has the right to agree or disagree about politics, but violence should never be happening , not in our Country,” one person commented.
“Do these people not realize that it’s us as tax payers that pay for this damage,” another one said.
nothing excuses this sort of behaviour…:(
— Verina Rallings (@VerinaRallings) August 23, 2018
Zero tolerance for political violence from any side of the political spectrum
— S Higgins (@stuartwhiggins1) August 23, 2018
The incident comes days after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull defeated Peter Dutton in a snap leadership spill by a vote of 48 to 35, on Aug. 21.
Dutton is now one of three senior Liberal MPs who will challenge for the second time for the leadership of the ruling Liberal Party. [Update: Scott Morrison has won a secondary ballot vote 45-40 beating Peter Dutton.]
Police are appealing for witnesses who saw any suspicious behaviour at or around the area to contact Policelink on 131 444, or submit an online form (here).
