One Nation claims staffer hospitalised after Ekka assault

A staff member for the Australian political party One Nation was allegedly assaulted at the Royal Queensland Show, known as the Ekka, in Brisbane on Friday, suffering a broken rib and extensive bruising. According to the party's chief of staff, James Ashby, the staffer, in her 60s, was on her way to the party's stall when she was subjected to verbal abuse by three women and a man.

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She now has one broken rib, she's got enormous bruising and she's had to go through the unedifying process of having to strip down in front of police so that they can take photographs of her injuries.

The situation reportedly escalated when the male individual punched the staffer in the ribs. Ashby stated that the injured staffer had to undergo the "unedifying process" of stripping down for police to photograph her injuries and was subsequently hospitalized. She was released over the weekend but remains badly bruised and shaken.

One Nation condemned the attack on social media, calling the perpetrators "ashamed of themselves" and emphasizing that the matter is being investigated by the Queensland Police. Ashby expressed his opinion that the staffer was targeted because she was wearing a One Nation shirt, criticizing the attackers for demanding respect for women while allegedly perpetrating violence. He described the initial encounter as involving "foul language" and being called an "ignorant (expletive)" before the physical assault.

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One Nation would like to condemn this violent attack in the strongest possible terms. The attackers should be ashamed of themselves.

Queensland Police confirmed they are aware of the allegations but have not received a formal complaint. The Queensland Ambulance Service reported no record of an ambulance being dispatched for a woman matching the description with injured ribs on Thursday or Friday. Brendan Christou, CEO of the RNA (which runs the Ekka), stated that the organization is cooperating with police inquiries and that the safety of attendees is a top priority, adding that the Ekka is a family-friendly event where violence is not condoned.

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The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, exhibitors, staff and everyone involved in the Show is our highest priority, and this allegation is extremely concerning.