“I have already refunded the money for the sign to Dr Ryan’s campaign, and a bit extra.”

A spokesperson for Ryan’s campaign confirmed that a donation made by Malham had been rejected and his money refunded.

Respect Victoria chair Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon said the clip showed a gendered threat directed at a woman in public life and that nobody should dismiss the attack as being “just politics”.

“Violence and threats directed at women – whether online or in real life – create a climate of fear,” Fitz-Gibbon said.

“This video is a stark reminder of the breadth of harmful misogynistic attitudes across the community.

“What we saw in that video was not just vandalism – it was a chilling display of misogyny and intimidation.”

Despite violence against women and girls being declared a national crisis last year, Fitz-Gibbon said there had been no leadership shown on the issue during the federal election campaign.

Ryan – a paediatric neurologist, researcher and professor prior to her political career – said the video was deeply concerning, but not an isolated incident.

“We’ve seen groups from both within and outside Kooyong stoking division through aggressively negative advertising,” she said.

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“It’s creating a climate of hostility that is distressing to candidates, volunteers and the broader community.

“I’m aware that similar incidents have also affected my opponent, and I unequivocally condemn this behaviour in all its forms. There’s no place in Australian electoral campaigns or society for violence and aggression.”

In a statement to this masthead, the Epworth said: “Professor Malham is a private medical specialist who, like all surgeons, operates at, but is not employed by, Epworth.

“Epworth [has] asked Professor Malham for an explanation. We are making no further comment as it is a matter for Professor Malham.”

Goldstein independent MP Zoe Daniel has slammed the video as “an apparent endorsement of violence against women”.

“Could there be a clearer metaphor to enable violence against women?” Daniels asked in a video posted to her social media accounts.

“I feel sick,” she said. “This has to be called out by men in leadership positions who are in a position to do something and so far have mentioned violence against women barely, if at all, during this campaign.”

Kooyong Liberal candidate Amelia Hamer said the man in the video was not a party member, and condemned the content.

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“There’s no place in politics for the destruction of campaign signs or any kind of intimidation – regardless of who the candidate or party is. Respectful debate and democratic participation are the cornerstones of a healthy political system.”

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