Nine electorate offices have been marked for security upgrades following last week's attack on independent MP Helen Haines, a Department of Finance official told a Senate estimates hearing. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said MP safety was a matter of daily review. Communications Minister Anika Wells temporarily shut her electorate office after a woman allegedly made threatening gestures towards staff. Several MPs have also shared threats against themselves, their families and staff. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the threats now often arrive online rather than by letter.
Labor has described Fatima Payman's comments linking a staffing allocation to a Haines-style attack as outrageous. Payman has asked whether the Prime Minister is waiting for something to happen to Helen Haines again. Senator Jacqui Lambie says Pauline Hanson has not personally apologised over a cartoon. Separately, the Farrer independent spent $1.7 million on the byelection campaign, according to electoral returns.
Federal MPs have expressed support for Helen Haines, the Member for Indi, following an incident outside her electorate office in Wangaratta. Mary Aldred, the Member for Monash, spoke in Parliament and sent her love and prayers to Dr Haines and her family. Ms Aldred also called for a better integrated approach to parliamentary security. She raised concerns about a mental health crisis in regional Australia and said the threats and abuse faced by public figures must be addressed.
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ACT politicians say they have faced death threats, spitting and misogynistic abuse. Several members of the ACT Legislative Assembly have spoken out after federal independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly run down outside her Victorian electorate office on Monday. Canberra Liberals MLA Elizabeth Lee said she received a death threat naming her daughter and partner, left at her front gate. ACT Health Minister Marisa Paterson said she has been spat at and threatened face-to-face, with abuse online increasing over the past 18 months. Greens MLA Laura Nuttall said she has been targeted over her sexuality and gender.
Australia's federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, says heated political rhetoric is fuelling threats and abuse against politicians. Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a serious but stable condition in Melbourne after an alleged deliberate attack outside her Wangaratta office. Barrett said threats are often reported daily, with women more often targeted with threats of sexual violence. Federal MPs say balancing security with community access is difficult. Labor minister Catherine King said attacks had been expected for years.
Australia's federal police commissioner has linked heated political rhetoric directly to threats and abuse aimed at politicians. Independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly run down by a four-wheel-drive outside her Wangaratta electoral office on Monday, and both her legs were amputated. She remains in a serious but stable condition in Melbourne. Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the daily threat reports are often pages long and that women MPs are more often targeted with threats of sexual violence. Federal MPs say they are weighing personal security against contact with voters.
NSW MP Jodie Harrison says threats left in envelopes at her electorate office nine years ago made her feel physically sick. A man was later jailed for 16 months after police investigated. Harrison now carries out daily risk assessments. Gosford MP Liesl Tesch carries a personal duress alarm after online threats, and Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says her staff are more on guard. The concerns follow an attack on Helen Haines, who remains in a critical condition. Premier Chris Minns said MPs cannot be wrapped in cotton wool.
Regional women in public office say staying safe is exhausting, as they travel long distances on high alert amid escalating threats. Victorian MP Annabelle Cleeland says poor phone reception leaves her safety net unreliable. Days after Indi MP Helen Haines was attacked, police charged a man accused of threatening WA MP Hannah Beazley with a homemade weapon. A survey by Women for Election found nine in 10 women in politics had experienced intimidation or abuse. Our Watch chief Patty Kinnersly said disrespect towards women was rife.
Researchers argue that abuse, threats and violence against Australian elected officials have become normalised, and that the burden falls heavily on women. A national survey of 854 councillors found 85 per cent had faced abuse, threats or violence in the past year. Only 18 per cent of councillors who described their most serious incident told police. The researchers say calls for civility and more security are not enough, and urge action on abuse before it escalates, along with accountability for technology platforms.
Local representatives are calling for security protections equal to those available to state and federal MPs. Speaking at the Local Government Association of Queensland's annual conference in Cairns, president Matt Burnett said councillors face escalating threats and abuse. A survey of elected members found that almost 60 percent believe threats to their safety are increasing. The association is urging governments to consider home security assistance, stronger reporting arrangements and tougher penalties. Women for Election reports that elected women have faced death threats, coordinated attacks and online abuse.
Victorian state MPs from across the political spectrum have called for increased security after reporting threats to themselves, their families, staff and volunteers. Premier Ben Carroll plans to meet the electoral commissioner about security for the November 28 poll, and a special cabinet meeting is reportedly planned. Former premier Jacinta Allan said in August that she worried an MP would be killed. Some MPs say social media has escalated abuse, and some are considering stepping back from politics.
A former Broome bishop, Christopher Alan Saunders, was found guilty of 13 sex offences by a West Australian jury. Prosecutors alleged he lured young Indigenous men to his church-owned house with alcohol and cigarettes paid for with church funds. Saunders denied wrongdoing, and it is not yet known whether he will appeal. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe acknowledged the eight-year delay but said the church let police lead the case to protect the integrity of the justice system. He said the church hoped to soon reopen its own internal legal procedures against Saunders.
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission is investigating the charity status of the South Korean Christian fringe group Shincheonji, which remains registered in Australia. The group's Melbourne chapter has faced allegations of brainwashing, financial abuse, and isolating members. Shincheonji's leader, Lee Man-hee, is detained in South Korea for allegedly violating the Political Parties Act. The group claims to have churches in over 100 countries and a congregation of more than 300,000 members.
A former Buddhist head monk, Naotunne Vijitha, has been sentenced to at least nine years and four months in prison for sexually abusing young girls at his temple in Melbourne. The 71-year-old, who showed no remorse, was convicted on 17 charges after a jury trial. His victims, aged between four and 12, described lifelong trauma in court. Vijitha's supporters lauded him as he was led to prison, with one victim calling their actions 'insane'.
A new biography, Johno, tells the story of Norman Johnston, a UK child migrant who arrived in Australia in 1950. The book, written by Kathleen O’Reilly Johnston, details the abuse and neglect Norman endured in Christian Brothers homes in Western Australia. Despite the harrowing experiences, Norman’s story is one of resilience and hope. The book aims to raise awareness about the UK’s post-war child migration scheme and its lasting impacts.
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The Anglican Diocese of Grafton has permanently removed Patrick Comben from Holy Orders. The decision, finalised on 16 September, follows a review of the initial 2015 defrocking, which was overturned in 2017. The Professional Standards Board found Comben failed to properly address abuse claims, including allegations against clergy, and acted in conflict of interest. The diocese acknowledged survivors' long wait for resolution. Comben, a former Queensland minister and Clarence Valley councillor, served as Grafton diocese registrar from 2004 to 2010.
