AFP boss says politicians’ heated rhetoric is fuelling threats against MPs
Summary
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said heated political rhetoric and imagery can be followed by an immediate rise in threats and abuse against politicians. Her comments came after independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly attacked outside her office in Wangaratta and suffered injuries that led to the amputation of both legs.Key Facts
- Barrett said she reviews a daily report of threats reported to the AFP, and some reports run for many pages.
- She said the AFP does not seek to police free speech but that threats and abuse against parliamentarians go beyond political discourse.
- Barrett linked periods of political conflict with increases in threats and abuse, sometimes occurring soon after the conflict.
- The AFP has held emergency safety briefings for parliamentarians since Monday.
- Barrett said men and women MPs face threats at similar rates, while women are more often targeted individually with threats of sexual violence.
- Politicians from different parties said they want to preserve direct access to voters while addressing personal safety risks.
- Labor minister Catherine King said she stopped using a mobile caravan because it lacked a second exit.
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