Australia’s federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, has linked the rhetoric of politicians to the rising threats and abuse directed at leaders. This comes in the wake of an alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electoral office. Haines is currently in a serious but stable condition in Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after undergoing a double leg amputation.
Barrett acknowledged that the threat landscape for politicians has shifted considerably. “When I start work every morning, one of the first things I do is read a report summarising all the threats reported to the AFP over the last 24 hours,” she told ABC’s Insiders. Some days, the report spans several pages.
While Barrett emphasised she does not aim to police free speech or interfere in political discussions, she challenged anyone to defend the violent nature of some threats received by federal parliamentarians as free speech. The rise of online threats, moving away from physical hate mail, has compounded the issue, with Barrett noting a direct correlation between political conflict and the increase in threats.
Cartoons by One Nation that feature political figures being hit by cars have resurfaced since Haines’ attack, prompting Barrett to remark on the “reaction amongst the community” to such imagery.
The police force, tasked with protecting politicians, has conducted emergency safety briefings with parliamentarians since the incident. Barrett pointed out that both male and female MPs face threats, but women are disproportionately targeted with sexual violence threats.
“My hope is that this prompts people to reflect on the situation in this country and its consequences,” she stated, questioning what event would signal the seriousness of the issue.
Federal MPs from various parties have expressed concerns about balancing their safety with accessibility to voters. Liberal MP Ted O’Brien remarked on the importance of maintaining community engagement, while Labor minister Catherine King revealed her long-standing worries about safety. She shared her decision to stop using her mobile caravan due to safety concerns, highlighting the need for better protection for politicians.
