Gay MP’s home targeted by ruthless vandals night after night ahead of Australian election
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Vandals targeted the home of out gay Australian MP Tim Wilson as tensions rise ahead of the upcoming federal election.
Wilson, 42, is one of the few out LGBT+ members of the Australian parliament. He famously proposed to his now-husband Ryan Bolger in parliament in 2017, during a speech in favour of same-sex marriage.
On Wednesday (27 April), Wilson tweeted that his home was “targeted by vandals again”.
“For my and husband’s safety we will upgrade security again,” he added.
Speaking to 9News, Tim Wilson explained that his front fence had been damaged by vandals who tore down campaign posters
He said that his home and office have been targeted night after night, and addressed the vandals, who have not yet been identified, pleading: “We’re simply saying: stop it.”
Sadly, my home was targeted by vandals again. For my & husband’s safety we will upgrade security again.
AFP are being called to the Goldstein office many times.
This is not Goldstein, and many residents are saying they’re intimidated by outsiders trying to change our community
— Tim Wilson (@tw4goldstein) April 26, 2022
The Liberal MP represents Goldstein, an electoral division located in the bayside suburbs of Melbourne.
His rival, independent candidate Zoe Daniel, has also been a victim of vandalism, which she described as “utterly inappropriate.“
“No one’s signs should be touched, vandalised or hassled in any way,” Daniel told 9News. “I think we should keep the campaign positive.“
The federal election is due to be held on 22 May to elect members of the 47th Parliament of Australia.
As Australia looks to the future of its governance, Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, recently expressed support for a proposed bill that would allow sporting groups to bar trans women from single-sex sports.
The bill, led by Liberal backbencher Claire Chandler and supported by Liberal candidate Katherine Deves, has been contested by Equality Australia, which dubbed it “unnecessary, cruel and divisive”.
Anna Brown, CEO of Equality Australia, said: “In offering his public support for this bill, the prime minister is once again making the lives of trans and gender diverse kids the subject of political and media debate.“
When asked whether he would consider instating a ban on trans women participating in single-sex sports, Morrison said he will “say about that at another time.”
