Updated
Police are questioning a 19-year-old man after a photographer was punched at a news conference called by Senator Fraser Anning at the scene of the Cronulla riots.
Key points:
- The Senator chose Cronulla, the scene of race riots in 2005, to announce NSW candidates for his party
- Reporters were heckled by Mr Anning’s supporters after they challenged him on his claims about Muslims
- Conservative candidate Peter Kelly said he condemned violence and abuse towards the media
Senator Anning chose the provocative location to introduce NSW candidates for his party, Fraser Anning’s Conservative National Party.
Anning supporters heckled journalists during the news conference, then one made a derogatory remark to local reporter Eliza Barr.
When News Corp photographer Dylan Robinson attempted to take photos of the supporter, the man lunged at him, throwing punches.
Mr Robinson’s shirt was badly torn in the altercation.
The controversial Senator was in Cronulla, the scene of the 2005 riots, to launch his NSW Senate team and a local candidate, former One Nation councillor Peter Cook, for the seat of Cook — a seat currently held by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Ms Barr, who has previously attracted harsh comments from far-right conservatives for her reporting, was heckled by Mr Anning’s supporters after she challenged the Senator’s claims about Muslims.
During the press conference, Senator Anning spoke against Muslim immigration and claimed Sudanese gangs were terrorising Sydney but declined to outline any evidence to support the claim.
“I don’t need to,” he said.
“I have police reports. I can give you those if you like.”
Mr Robinson tried to take a picture of the 19-year-old man who’d been on the sidelines of the event.
Footage of the attack showed the young man repeatedly punching Mr Robinson before bystanders intervened.
The photographer, his shirt badly torn, continued to take photos of his attacker as he walked away.
A short time later, police detained the 19-year-old and took him to Sutherland Police station in the back of a police vehicle.
NSW Police said the man was assisting with their inquiries.
Peter Kelly, a Conservative National candidate, said he had left before the scuffle occurred but did see police officers approaching the park.
He condemned any violence and abuse thrown towards reporters.
“I find name calling to be particularly abhorrent,” Mr Kelly said.
“She [Ms Barr] is doing her job, as is her right.”
He said the supporters at his candidacy announcement did interject and push back at reporter questions, but he did not hear anything inappropriate being said.
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