A man accused of attacking a One Nation volunteer outside a Surf Coast home is withdrawing from drugs and had been hearing voices before the incident, a court has heard.
Hampton Park man Kj Seumalu, 37, faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on serious assault charges following his arrest at Torquay nine days ago.
Defence lawyer Elena Felekos made no application to free her client on bail but raised a raft of health-related custody management issues, including that Seumalu had high blood pressure, was withdrawing from methamphetamine, had a drinking problem and was hearing voices. Felekos said that while her client had no formal psychiatric diagnosis, he was unmedicated and had experienced depression and anxiety.
Magistrate John Lesser ordered the man be seen by a custody nurse with police given until December 21 to prepare and serve their brief of evidence, including properly formatting CCTV and body-worn camera footage. Lesser remanded Seumalu until February 23 for a committal mention, noting no bail application was made.
Police allege Seumalu attacked the One Nation volunteer with a blunt object and damaged corflutes outside a Surf Coast home about 7.45pm on November 1. Seumalu was later charged with intentionally causing injury and other offences.
Police said the incident was not being treated as politically motivated, but it prompted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to visit the injured man in Geelong hospital. Hanson said a teenage boy was allegedly damaging a One Nation corflute outside the victim’s property, prompting the 60-year-old man to confront him and Seumalu. The injured man has since been released from hospital, while the teenager has been issued with a caution.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case highlights the intersection of drug withdrawal, mental health and criminal justice, with the accused's unmedicated state and withdrawal symptoms emerging as central issues.
- The attack on a political volunteer, though not deemed politically motivated, has drawn national attention, with One Nation's leader visiting the victim.
- The court's handling of custody health issues may set precedents for how similar cases are managed.
Background
Kj Seumalu is accused of assaulting a 60-year-old One Nation volunteer with a blunt object on November 1 in Torquay, Victoria. The volunteer was hospitalized but has since been released. A teenager involved in damaging a campaign corflute was cautioned. Seumalu was arrested nine days before his court appearance.
Key Perspectives
Defence lawyer Elena Felekos: Raised that her client has high blood pressure, is withdrawing from methamphetamine, has a drinking problem, was hearing voices, has no formal psychiatric diagnosis, is unmedicated, and has experienced depression and anxiety.
Magistrate John Lesser: Ordered a custody nurse assessment and set a committal mention for February 23, remanding Seumalu with no bail application.
Police: Alleged Seumalu attacked the volunteer with a blunt object and damaged corflutes; said the incident was not politically motivated.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson: Visited the injured man in hospital; said a teenage boy was allegedly damaging a One Nation corflute outside the victim's property, prompting the confrontation.
What to Watch
- The committal mention on February 23, which may determine whether the case proceeds to trial.
- Whether Seumalu receives a formal psychiatric diagnosis or treatment in custody.
- Any further statements from One Nation or police about the incident's context or classification.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAn accused attacker of a One Nation volunteer was withdrawing from drugs and hearing voices, according to the court.The Age - Latest News: “Accused One Nation volunteer attacker withdrawing from drugs, hearing voices. A man accused of attacking a One Nation volunteer outside his home is withdrawing from drugs and had been hearing voices before the incident, a court has heard.”
- SupportedKj Seumalu, 37, faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court on assault charges, and his defence raised health concerns.The Age - Latest News: “Hampton Park man Kj Seumalu, 37, faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on serious assault charges following his arrest at Torquay nine days ago. Defence lawyer Elena Felekos made no application to free her client on bail but raised a raft of health-related custody management issues.”
- SupportedSeumalu was withdrawing from drugs and had been hearing voices before the incident, a court heard.The Age - Latest News: “A man accused of attacking a One Nation volunteer outside his home is withdrawing from drugs and had been hearing voices before the incident, a court has heard.”
- SupportedSeumalu, from Hampton Park, was 37 and appeared in court on Tuesday following his arrest at Torquay nine days earlier.The Age - Latest News: “Hampton Park man Kj Seumalu, 37, faced Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on serious assault charges following his arrest at Torquay nine days ago.”
- SupportedHis lawyer made no bail application and raised high blood pressure, methamphetamine withdrawal, a drinking problem and hearing voices as custody-management issues.The Age - Latest News: “This, she said, included that Seumalu had high blood pressure, was withdrawing from methamphetamine, had a drinking problem and was hearing voices.”
- SupportedFelekos said Seumalu had no formal psychiatric diagnosis, was unmedicated and had experienced depression and anxiety.The Age - Latest News: “Felekos said that while her client had no formal psychiatric diagnosis, he was unmedicated and had experienced depression and anxiety.”
- SupportedMagistrate John Lesser ordered a custody-nurse assessment and gave police until December 21 to prepare and serve their brief, including properly formatting CCTV and body-worn camera footage.The Age - Latest News: “Magistrate John Lesser ordered the man be seen by a custody nurse with police given until December 21 to prepare and serve their brief of evidence. This, he said, included properly formatting CCTV and body-worn camera footage.”
- SupportedLesser remanded Seumalu until February 23 for a committal mention, noting that no bail application had been made.The Age - Latest News: ““Mr Seumalu, the next court date will be the 23rd of February next year for what’s called a committal mention,” Lesser said. “I’ll remand you until that date, noting no application for bail is being made today.””
- SupportedPolice allege Seumalu attacked the volunteer with a blunt object and damaged corflutes outside a Surf Coast home at about 7.45pm on November 1.The Age - Latest News: “Police allege Seumalu attacked the One Nation volunteer with a blunt object, and damaged corflutes, outside a Surf Coast home about 7.45pm on November 1.”
- SupportedSeumalu was later charged with intentionally causing injury and other offences.The Age - Latest News: “Seumalu was later arrested and charged with intentionally causing injury and other offences.”
- SupportedPolice said the incident was not being treated as politically motivated, and it prompted Pauline Hanson to visit the injured man in hospital.The Age - Latest News: “Police said the incident was not being treated as politically motivated, but it prompted One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to visit the injured man in Geelong hospital.”
- SupportedHanson said a teenage boy was allegedly damaging a One Nation corflute, prompting the 60-year-old victim to confront the boy and Seumalu; the victim was released from hospital and the teenager was issued a caution.The Age - Latest News: “She said that a teenage boy was allegedly damaging a One Nation corflute outside the victim’s property, prompting the 60-year-old man to confront him and Seumalu. The injured man has since been released from hospital, while the teenager has been issued with a caution.”