Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs’ homes and offices after numerous federal politicians told police and Asio in safety briefings that they were worried about widening threats after the alleged attack on Helen Haines.
The Labor government and politicians across the parliament are still considering how they will respond when they return to Canberra next week, with ideas being floated including a new committee on MPs’ safety, greater resources for police, and motions of condolence for Haines, who lost both her legs after Monday’s incident. Renewed calls from the crossbench for reforms to question time and the tone of debate in parliament are unlikely to be taken up by the major parties.
In safety briefings with the Australian federal police and Asio granted to Labor, Coalition and crossbench MPs on Wednesday, security of homes and electorate offices was a common concern, according to Guardian Australia interviews with ۱۰ MPs. While a broad review of safety and security is unlikely at this stage, multiple MPs across the political spectrum told Guardian Australia they had spent thousands of dollars of their own money to install safety features based on the advice of the federal police.
Federal ministers receive stronger security assistance but numerous backbenchers said they felt under-resourced, saying many angry constituents may see all politicians as a homogenous group, and may not differentiate between cabinet members and ordinary local MPs.
“People are getting activated now because they see us as part of the government. We represent the system to them, as much as anyone else,” independent Monique Ryan said.
Two years ago, the AFP recorded ۹۵۱ reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against office holders. Last year, that increased to ۱,۰۶۷.
On Thursday, a Western Australian man was charged after he allegedly made verbal threats while in possession of nunchucks outside an electoral office in Perth.
No one was injured as a result, Western Australia police said, and his bail was refused.
‘Not well protected’
A number of politicians asked to speak anonymously to discuss reflections from the briefings. While many praised the AFP’s response when their staff contacted them – for instance, to seek advice on holding public events – some said they had received less timely assistance from local police when they requested help, such as to respond to aggressive visitors.
Numerous MPs said they did not want security guards or armed escorts for themselves in public but that they felt alarmed for the safety of their homes and families.
Some said they would feel more comfortable with cameras and floodlights at home, and had decided to pay for their own upgrades after not being offered such features in risk assessments conducted by security agencies. One independent MP said crossbenchers questioned whether extra home security features should be paid for by the public.
Several MPs said they wanted more security and safety support but questioned how much impact that would have on their overall safety and how much more the AFP could do.
Guardian Australia was told security officials had committed to assessing safety settings of MPs who raised specific concerns. While a broad-ranging government review is at this stage not expected, other responses could include giving MPs more information on the background work that policing agencies conduct year-round, such as threat assessments and periodic checks.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, told News۲۴ his government had overseen “an increase in funding for security for members of parliament in the last couple of years”.
“We want to make sure that people can feel as much comfort as possible, that everything’s being done to maximise security,” he said. “But also, I think parliamentarians across the board are determined to make sure we can continue to engage as we need to in this great democracy of ours.”
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A spokesperson for the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said: “Reviews of the threats faced by high office holders are constantly conducted by our agencies.”
Ryan, who is close with Haines, said she had rarely discussed safety arrangements with fellow MPs until recent times but claimed many colleagues were “now realising they’re having common experiences”. She was supportive of a broader review into safety and more resources to secure offices.
“If it makes my team feel better and safer to have bollards out the front, I’m happy,” she said.
Two Labor MPs said some government backbenchers had expressed frustrations towards the finance department for not adequately funding safety measures for their electorate offices or doing so in a timely way. One said money was “always an issue” with the department, and expected more MPs to be directly lobbying the prime minister to improve office security.
Nationals MP Sam Birrell, whose electorate neighbours Haines’s in Indi, said regional politicians had particular concerns, with many being highly visible in their communities and locals often knowing where they lived.
“Some of the MPs were frustrated there’s not clear advice on things like whether to advertise mobile offices or have signs on cars,” he said.
“There were some complaints about whether people are able to get fairly modest security measures … that needs to be reviewed.”
Multiple people across meetings raised concerns about how to protect electorate office staff.
Liberal senator James Paterson told Radio National electorate offices were “very exposed” and were “not well protected”.
Asio and AFP have been contacted for comment.
