Only in the NT …
This gem comes from the NT News. Anywhere else it would be a negative, but in the Northern Territory, who knows.
Blind man in punch-up at CLP launch
By PAUL DYER, 10 June 2005The CLP’s official election campaign launch degenerated into a farce when a visually impaired man knocked down a party stalwart after a political argument.
Police were called and the man was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital.
Opposition Leader Denis Burke had just finished his keynote address to the party faithful at the new upmarket Darwin Airport Resort when the trouble started.
CLP member Roberto Isatti, who uses a white cane and guide dog to get around, became involved in a dispute with another of the party faithful. The row ended with punches being thrown and the unnamed CLP member being “flattened”. Mr Isatti refused to comment on the matter yesterday.
But one witness said the incident occurred after a heated discussion took place near the hotel reception.
“They were pointing fingers at one another,” he said.
The witness said both men threw and landed punches — but it was not clear who started the fight.
“Then Roberto took one swing and missed — then he took a second swing and decked him” he said. “He knocked him over.”
About 200 people attended the function, which was held on Wednesday night.
Witnesses said police struggled to contain their laughter when they arrived to take statements.
Police last night confirmed there was an incident at the resort in which two men — who knew each other — were involved in a fracas and one was punched in the jaw.
But no formal complaint was laid.
Ambulance officers also were called, arriving about 9.30pm.