Media
|
News
May 7, 2026
Liberal Senator James Paterson has claimed One Nation chief of staff James Ashby privately apologised to him after a tense polling booth altercation, despite later publicly criticising him.
The clash unfolded when a One Nation volunteer allegedly grabbed Senator Paterson’s phone during a heated exchange, later prompting an apology from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
However, hours later Mr Ashby backtracked on the One Nation leader's public apology and accused Senator Paterson of provoking the incident.
"I don't condone any action where things get aggressive and behaviour gets out of hand here, but James Paterson went into that rage baiting, he went looking for a blue," the One Nation chief of staff claimed.
Senator Paterson told Sky News on Thursday that the private response he received told a different story.
“Well, I'm scratching my head because the One Nation volunteers who are on the booth came up to me and immediately apologised,” he said.
“About half an hour later James Ashby called me and put David Farley on the phone and both of them apologised to me.”
He said the apology was clear and direct.
“He called me within an hour of the incident and apologised profusely and appropriately, and so did David Farley,” he said.
The shadow defence minister also revealed assurances were given about the volunteer involved.
“They assured me that the volunteer in question wouldn't be appearing on the booths again,” he said.
Mr Ashby told SkyNews.com.au that he accused Mr Paterson of provoking the confrontation after reviewing the footage.
“David Farley and I made contact with Senator Paterson after hearing of a scuffle involving him and a One Nation volunteer at the polling booth to make sure he was ok,” Mr Ashby said.
“We had not seen the video footage at that stage.
“Once I was able to review the footage Senator Paterson had personally filmed and provided to TV networks, it became obvious that the Liberal Senator had deliberately provoked the response from the pensioner.
“Senator Paterson should be ashamed of himself.”
Mr Ashby also questioned whether senior Coalition figures would support Senator Paterson’s conduct.
“I’m not sure Angus Taylor would support his senior shadow ministers rage baiting pensioners on polling booths,” he said.
Mr Ashby also issued a warning ahead of Senator Hanson’s arrival in the electorate.
“I’d recommend Senator Paterson cool his heels or head back to Victoria before Senator Hanson arrives in Farrer because she won’t tolerate his childish behaviour.”
Senator Paterson warned against any rhetoric that could escalate tensions further after Mr Ashby said that the Liberal senator “needed a kick up the backside”.
“I know James Ashby was speaking figuratively … but I really hope none of the One Nation volunteers take that literally because the last thing we need is violence on polling booths in Australia,” he said.
Wednesday’s incident unfolded in Albury as campaigning intensified ahead of the Farrer by-election.
The volunteer at the polling booth accused Senator Paterson of “weaponising” One Nation candidate David Farley’s previous political affiliations via the Coalition corflute.
The Senator insisted that voters had a right to know.
Senator Paterson said the situation escalated quickly after what began as a political discussion.
He said the exchange turned aggressive, prompting him to start recording.
“I started filming when it started to get aggressive and as you saw then the One Nation volunteer grabbed my phone and took it from me,” Mr Paterson told Sky News on Thursday morning.
The Senator said robust debate at polling booths was expected but drew a clear line at physical behaviour.
“I'm happy to engage in spirited debate on a polling booth with anyone … but things should never cross the line into physical altercations as that did,” he said.
He confirmed he would not pursue charges over the incident, but maintained concerns about behaviour at polling booths.
Senator Paterson said the pressure of the Farrer by-election contest may be contributing to the party’s response.
“I think the pressure is getting to One Nation and that's probably why they're reacting the way they did,” he said.
“Something's going on in One Nation … now they're contradicting each other on apologies.”