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.
At least nine MPs will have security upgrades for their electorate offices brought forward, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has confirmed. The move follows an alleged attack last Monday on independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta office. Haines was struck repeatedly by a four-wheel drive and has lost both legs. She remains in a serious but stable condition in a Melbourne hospital, and police are examining the motive. Gallagher also urged social media companies to act on threats posted on their platforms against women in public life.
Staff of independent MP Helen Haines say they have been moved by public kindness as they prepare to reopen her electorate offices. Haines remains in critical condition after a car allegedly struck her outside her Wangaratta office on Monday, and both her legs were amputated. Brendan Nugent, 43, is accused of deliberately driving into her. A charity appeal in her honour has raised more than $730,000. Police, federal agencies and state leaders are reviewing security for politicians, and parliamentarians in several states have received briefings.
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A man accused of threatening staff at Hannah Beazley's Victoria Park electorate office was known to police, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch has said. John Lawrence Smart faced Perth Magistrates Court and has been charged with being armed to cause fear, making a threat and possessing cannabis. A magistrate refused him bail. Blanch urged politicians not to withdraw from their communities and encouraged people to report escalating behaviour. WA Greens MP Sophie McNeill called for an urgent review of electorate office security.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says social media platforms should have a responsibility to remove death and rape threats. His comments follow an attack on independent MP Helen Haines, after which parliamentarians of all parties shared details of threats they had received. Several said they would support stronger security around electorate offices. Albanese pointed to Labor's proposed digital duty of care, but admitted the government had not achieved what it wanted. He said the government would listen to security agencies and work with parliament to keep people safe, calling the level of threats completely unacceptable.
A 56-year-old man has been charged after allegedly threatening staff at the Victoria Park electoral office of WA Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley while holding nunchucks. Police said nobody was injured, and the man was arrested in Bentley. He has been charged with making unlawful threats, being armed in a way that may cause fear and possessing cannabis. Bail was refused. Premier Roger Cook said he was appalled by the incident and is considering blocking public access to the Parliament House car park as part of new security measures.
Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs' homes and offices after numerous federal politicians reported growing worries about threats. The review follows an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines, who has lost both legs but remains in stable condition in hospital, her husband has said. Separately, Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American from a Russian jail while meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg for talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Former child detainees have also described abuse they allege they suffered within the youth detention system.
Federal politicians from Labor, the Coalition and the crossbench have raised concerns about their safety after the alleged attack on Helen Haines, who lost both legs. Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs' homes and offices. Several MPs have paid for their own safety features, such as cameras and floodlights, after risk assessments did not offer them. Reported threats to office holders rose from 951 two years ago to 1,067 last year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said funding for MP security has increased.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says politicians need to be able to attend community events and shop without fear, as calls grow to review MP protection. Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after a four-wheel drive allegedly struck her outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday. Police allege Brendan Nugent, 43, deliberately drove into her. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett says nearly one person a week is charged with targeting federal parliamentarians and office-holders, and that the threat environment is febrile.
Independent MP Helen Haines remains in critical condition in Melbourne after she was struck twice by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office. She lost a leg in surgery. Police have taken Brendan Nugent, 43, into custody and he is alleged to be the driver. Parliamentarians say the attack has heightened fears for their safety. The government and the Coalition are reportedly in talks on security measures for all elected officials.
