Warnings of political-violence risks bear bitter fruit

Key points

• Federal MP Helen Haines was deliberately hit by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon and was left fighting for her life.
• ASIO director general Mike Burgess has said the threat of politically motivated violence is flashing red, and that elevated grievance and polarisation create a permissive environment for violence.
• The Australian Federal Police reported 1067 reports of harassment and threatening behaviour against politicians, electorate offices and government agencies in 2025-26, up from 951 the year before.