Former Australian PM Tony Abbott allegedly head-butted by same-sex marriage supporter ahead of controversial vote

“It’s a shock to have a fellow Australian seeking to shake your hand turn a handshake into an assault,” Abbott told reporters Friday morning Australian time, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Earlier, Abbott said a man approached him on a street in Hobart Thursday night Australian time, asking for a handshake. The man then allegedly head-butted Abbott, before saying the outspoken critic of same-sex marriage deserved to be hit and running away.

Abbott said the encounter left him with “a very, very slightly swollen lip,” but no less determined in his “vote no” campaign, per Sky News Australia.

“If you don’t like being pushed around by activists, vote no,” he said. “And if you don’t like the kind of intimidation that is creeping into our society, the only safe thing you can do is to vote no and tell these people that they have to treat our values and our institutions with respect.”

Violence, however, has been exhibited by both sides of the debate, with marriage equality advocates also being targeted.

The postal survey, the outcome of which will be made public on Nov. 15, is voluntary and non-binding, with the Australian Parliament still required to pass legislation to amend current heterosexual marriage laws.