Former prime minister Tony Abbott has lashed out at the “low and vicious behaviour” of his opponents after one of his campaign volunteers was allegedly stabbed on Friday night.

Police said a man began abusing a group of the Warringah MP’s volunteers outside Balgowlah Heights Public School on Sydney’s northern beaches about 8pm.

“(The offender) allegedly threatened an 18-year-old man before he thrust a corkscrew at the stomach of a 31-year-old man, causing a minor injury,” New South Wales Police said in a statement.

“He then started ripping down the banners that had been erected, before fleeing the scene.”

The stabbing victim was treated at the scene by paramedics but was not taken to hospital.

The stabbing victim did not receive serious injuries and returned to his post a short time later. Photo: Steve Hart/Twitter

A 62-year-old man has been charged with two counts of common assault.

Mr Abbott is fighting to hold onto his long-held seat in the face of an intense campaign by Independent candidate and former Olympian Zali Steggall.

He told reporters this year’s federal election campaign had been “very ugly”, with a “lot of low blows”.

Ms Steggall said the incident was “appalling” and does not believe the offender was linked to her campaign.

Across the country in Perth, a One Nation volunteer also was allegedly attacked at a polling station in the seat currently held by the country’s first Muslim woman elected to federal parliament.

One Nation Senator Peter Georgiou posted photographs on social media on Saturday of a man bleeding.

He said the volunteer had been targeted by a family of five in a “random racist attack” in the seat of Cowan.

BREAKING | VOLUNTEER ATTACK

A @OneNationAus volunteer has been targeted in a random racist attack in #AnnAly’s seat of #Cowan

He was allegedly called a “white dog” and attacked by a violent family of 5.

Police are at the scene. pic.twitter.com/rJgnoTLV7z

— Sen. Peter Georgiou 🇦🇺 (@SenatorGeorgiou) May 18, 2019

The man was allegedly called a “white dog”.

Police confirmed to AAP they attended a “disturbance” at a polling booth in Ballajura but refused to elaborate on any injuries.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson had a bizarre confrontation with Cowan MP Anne Aly earlier in the week.

Senator Hanson expressed disappointment that Dr Aly had talked to a journalist about a private lunch the pair attended three years ago.

A confused Dr Aly questioned Senator Hanson’s timing, saying she had ample opportunity to raise the matter if she was unhappy.

Senator Hanson infamously wore a burqa in parliament as part of a stunt calling for a ban on the Islamic garment.

-with AAP