Tony Abbott: Former Australian Prime Minister says he was headbutted by same-sex marriage campaigner

Fifty-nine-year-old claims he was attacked amid upcoming vote on issue

Tony Abbott discussing his departure at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. His two years as Prime Minister were beset by controversy (EPA)

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused a same-sex marriage campaigner of headbutting him.

The 59-year-old said he was attacked while walking to his hotel in Hobart by a Yes campaigner for Australia’s upcoming national postal vote on marriage equality.

Mr Abbott was in Tasmania on Thursday to attend a private function with No voters.

Speaking to Melbourne’s 3AW radio, he said: “A fellow sung out at me ‘Hey Tony!’ I turned around, there was a chap wearing a Vote Yes badge. He says ‘I wanna shake your hand’. I went over to shake his hand and then he headbutted me.

“Now he wasn’t very good at it I’ve gotta say, but he did make contact. The only damage was a very, very slightly swollen lip.

“I was with a member of my staff [who] briefly grappled with this guy, and he then ran off swearing his head off basically.

“It was just a reminder of how ugly this debate is getting, and the ugliness is not coming from defenders of marriage as it’s always been understood.”

Mr Abbott accused the “love is love brigade” of committing 99 per cent of the “bullying and intimidation” during the campaign.

“It was just very disconcerting to find that the love is love brigade… should under the guise of wanting to shake your hand in fact try to give you a so-called Liverpool kiss,” he added.

Alex Greenwich, co-chair of The Equality Campaign, condemned the attack, saying there was “no place for violence in the marriage equality debate.”

“This is about treating people fairly and with respect and dignity,” he said on social media.