Former Vic Labor staffer involved in violent altercation at Kororoit branch meeting An ex-Victorian Labor staffer who allegedly once assaulted a party secretary has been involved in a brawl with an elderly man at a branch meeting in Melbourne’s west. Jeffrey O’Donnell — who is already facing civil legal action over another alleged assault — is accused of “violently and physically” assaulting the Labor Party member, believed to be aged in his 70s, at the party’s Kororoit Branch meeting about 8pm on Tuesday. Kororoit MP Luba Grigorovitch and another bystander witnessed the incident and were forced to break up the ugly confrontation, which unfolded as the meeting at the Burnside Children’s and Community Centre came to an end. Tuesday’s alleged incident comes after Kororoit Creek Branch secretary Jennifer Marriott last year launched legal action against the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party and Mr O’Donnell for allegedly assaulting her, “habitually heckling” Labor members and calling a female member explicit names at party meetings. In a civil writ filed with the Supreme Court in October, Ms Marriott said the Labor Party should have known that Mr O’Donnell, who was once also charged over a taxpayer-funded election fraud, “had a propensity to behave erratically and threateningly towards other members of the party” before he allegedly assaulted her at a Labor meeting at a Caroline Springs La Porchetta in 2023. Arnold Thomas and Becker managing partner Lee Flanagan, who is representing Ms Marriott, said he was “disappointed” to hear that there had been another alleged assault involving Mr O’Donnell. “We have previously alleged that the Party failed to take sufficient steps to discipline or remove Mr O’Donnell from the Labor Party,” he said. “Had there been appropriate action taken following the earlier allegations, further complaints of abuse could have been avoided. “Given these failures, we allege that the party has breached its duty of care to protect its members.” Read the full story at The Herald Sun. Contact us Arnold Thomas & Becker is a group of fiercely dedicated legal experts who fight for the rights of injured people across Victoria. We offer a free, no-obligation assessment of your claim from down to earth, friendly and approachable lawyers. To speak to a lawyer today, call us on 1300 333 300 or send us an email at [email protected]