Scott Morrison egged by protester in Albury
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been egged by a protester at a campaign event in Albury.
A young woman threw an egg at Mr Morrison while he was talking to a group from the Country Women's Association. Police say the egg missed the Prime Minister, who flinched. It is understood the egg did not crack and was found, whole, nearby.
The woman was quickly tackled by security. An elderly woman was knocked over in the scuffle. She was helped to her feet by Mr Morrison.
Shortly after the incident, Mr Morrison tweeted that his concern about "the incident in Albury" was for the "older lady who was knocked off her feet". "I helped her up and gave her a hug."
A spokesperson for New South Wales Police said a 25-year-old woman was in custody "following an incident with the Prime Minister in Albury".
She was arrested after "she allegedly threw an egg at the Prime Minister during a Country Women's Association event at the Albury Entertainment Centre".
"The egg missed the Prime Minister and struck a woman who was in attendance. No injuries have been reported."
In response to the egg incident, Mr Morrison also tweeted, "Our farmers have to put up with these same idiots who are invading their farms and their homes".
"We will stand up to thuggery whether it's these cowardly activists who have no respect for anyone, or militant unionists standing over small businesses and their employees on work sites."
Mr Morrison is expected to continue his plans to campaign on Tuesday in regional Victoria, including in the seat of Indi, which the Coalition hopes to regain, with the retirement of independent sitting MP Cathy McGowan.
Mr Morrison also tweeted his thanks to his Australian Federal Police personal protection team. "They do a great job."
The incident comes after a teenager, colloquially known as "egg boy", cracked an egg on far-right senator Fraser Anning's head during a press conference in March. The teenager was issued with an official caution. Senator Anning, who responded by punching the 17-year-old, was also not charged.
In 2013, a school student was suspended after he was held responsible for throwing a Vegemite sandwich at then-prime minister Julia Gillard. In 2010, an anti-war protester threw his shoes at former prime minister John Howard during an appearance on Q&A.
The woman allegedly responsible for throwing the egg spoke briefly to journalists outside the venue, while carrying a six pack of eggs. She said she had not intended for a woman to fall over, "I am sorry for that". When asked if a peaceful protest would have been better, she replied, "cos that gets through".
Meanwhile in Tony Abbott’s seat of Warringah, in Sydney's north, NSW Police officers on Tuesday morning collected a poo hidden inside a book that was dumped outside his electorate office.
The faeces was placed inside a hollowed out book that had the word "Unpopular" written on the cover, according to photos published by News Corp Australia.
with AAP