Female candidates face death threats and organised smear campaigns
Tracee Hutchison quit the November election. She faced death threats and attacks during the May by-election campaign.
TV broadcaster Tracee Hutchison ran as an independent in Victoria's Nepean by-election in May, winning almost a quarter of first preferences. She received death threats, images of herself gagged, and smear letterbox drops.
Each day during pre-polling, Tracee Hutchison reported feeling unsafe to the Victorian Electoral Commission. Officials had little power to stop harassment.
The most sustained attacks came from a group of young men across the electorate. Hutchison decided not to contest the November state election because of rising violence towards women.
Fellow Victorian Georgie Purcell, an upper-house politician, said she has received thousands of death and sexual assault threats. Both are calling for better security for candidates and a government response.
Hutchison says this shows something has gone horribly wrong. The attacks follow a car ramming that critically injured federal independent Helen Haines near her electorate office.
- Almost a quarter
- First preferences won
- Victoria's Nepean seat
- By-election location
- May
- When by-election held
Why it mattersViolence and harassment stop experienced candidates from running for office. This reduces women's representation in parliament.
AustraliaFemale politicians and candidates across Victoria and Australia are stepping back from elections due to organised attacks and threats to their safety.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
