Abbott 'headbutter' faces upgraded charge

A Hobart DJ and self-confessed anarchist accused of headbutting former prime minister Tony Abbott faces a charge which carries a maximum penalty of ten years' jail.

Astro Labe, 38, was originally charged with common assault after his encounter with Mr Abbott as he walked along the Hobart waterfront on September 21.

But that has been altered to the federal offence of causing harm to a Commonwealth public official.

Labe is expected to enter a plea on January 18 after appearing in Hobart Magistrates Court for the first time on Monday.

Mr Abbott said he was left shocked and with a fat lip, and claimed the confrontation was "ugliness" as part of the same-sex marriage debate.

Labe was wearing a 'yes' sticker when he encountered Mr Abbott but insisted his actions were solely because of a "personal hatred" for the ex-PM.