Numerous politicians told agencies threats were widening
Guardian Australia interviewed 10 MPs about Wednesday safety briefings with the Australian Federal Police and ASIO that were granted to Labor, Coalition and crossbench lawmakers. Protection of homes and electorate offices was a common concern following the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines. In interviews about the briefings, multiple MPs across the political spectrum told Guardian Australia they had spent thousands of dollars of their own money installing safety features based on AFP advice.
Floral tributes were outside Haines’s office in Wangaratta. Haines lost both legs after Monday’s incident, and her husband said her “heart and mind are in good shape.” Numerous federal politicians told the AFP and ASIO during the briefings that they were worried threats were widening after the alleged attack. Security agencies said they would review safety precautions for MPs’ homes and offices, and security officials told Guardian Australia they had committed to assessing the safety settings of MPs who raised specific concerns.
Some MPs said they would feel more comfortable with cameras and floodlights at home and had decided to pay for their own upgrades after risk assessments by security agencies did not include those features. One independent MP said crossbenchers were questioning whether extra home-security features should be paid for by the public.
Independent MP Monique Ryan, who is close to Haines, said Haines had rarely discussed security arrangements with fellow MPs until recent times. Ryan said many colleagues were “now realising they’re having common experiences,” and she supported a broader review and more resources to secure offices. She said: “If it makes my team feel better and safer to have bollards out the front, I’m happy.”
Federal ministers received stronger security assistance, while numerous backbenchers said they felt under-resourced. Those backbenchers said many angry constituents might see all politicians as a homogeneous group and might not differentiate between cabinet ministers and ordinary local MPs. Ryan separately said: “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.”
A number of politicians asked to speak anonymously to discuss their reflections from the briefings. Many praised the AFP’s response when their staff contacted the agency, including advice on holding public events. Some said they received less timely assistance from local police when they requested help, such as responding to aggressive visitors.
Numerous MPs said they did not want security guards or armed escorts for themselves in public but felt alarmed for the safety of their homes and families. Several wanted more security and safety support but questioned how much impact it would have on their overall safety and how much more the AFP could do. Multiple people across the meetings also raised concerns about how to protect electorate-office staff.
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. He said: “Some of the MPs were frustrated there’s not clear advice on things like whether to advertise mobile offices or have signs on cars.” Birrell added: “There were some complaints about whether people are able to get fairly modest security measures … that needs to be reviewed.”
Two Labor MPs said some government backbenchers had expressed frustration with the finance department for not adequately funding safety measures for their electorate offices or doing so promptly. One said money was “always an issue” with the department and expected more MPs to lobby the prime minister directly to improve office security. Liberal senator James Paterson told Radio National that electorate offices were “very exposed” and “not well protected.”
The AFP recorded 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against office holders two years ago. Last year, the number increased to 1,067. On Wednesday, Western Australia police said they had arrested a man after he allegedly caused a disturbance at a Perth electorate office and was reported to have made verbal threats “while in possession of what has been described as nunchucks.” No one was injured, police said.
The Labor government and politicians across Parliament were considering how to respond when they return to Canberra next week. Ideas being floated included a new committee on MPs’ safety, greater resources for police and motions of condolence for Haines. Renewed calls from the crossbench for reforms to question time and the tone of debate in Parliament were unlikely to be taken up by the major parties, while a broad-ranging government review was not expected at this stage.
Other possible responses include giving MPs more information on the background work that policing agencies conduct year-round, such as threat assessments and periodic checks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told News24 that his government had overseen “an increase in funding for security for members of parliament in the last couple of years.” He said: “We want to make sure that people can feel as much comfort as possible, that everything’s being done to maximise security. 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.”
A spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said: “Reviews of the threats faced by high office holders are constantly conducted by our agencies.” The AFP and ASIO were contacted for comment.
MSI previously reported that Haines was critically injured after a vehicle struck her outside her Wangaratta electorate office, while separate MSI reporting on police data documented more than 1,000 threats against Australian politicians in the 2025-2026 financial year. The Wednesday briefings add lawmakers’ self-funded security measures and agency follow-up as the government weighs its response.