Online abuse of MPs sparks Commonwealth leaders' 2027 safety forum
Australian and British leaders launched an international forum to protect MPs from online harm.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK leader Andy Burnham agreed to set up an international forum. The forum will protect politicians from online abuse.
The forum will bring together technology companies and Commonwealth leaders. The forum will first meet in 2027.
Violence against politicians in both countries led to this decision. On 19 October, a car struck independent Victorian MP Helen Haines outside her office in Wangaratta.
Both her legs were amputated. The leaders said a harmful online environment drives talented people away from politics.
Their joint statement noted this fact. Women MPs in Australia and the UK are three times more likely to report receiving sexual or gender-based threats.
The forum will explore software tools being tested in parliaments across the 56-member Commonwealth.
- October 19
- Helen Haines attack date
- 21 times
- Ann Widdecombe hammer strikes
- 3 times more likely
- Women MPs threatened at higher rate
- 56
- Commonwealth member nations
Why it mattersThis creates a formal international response to protect elected representatives. It could change how politicians and their families stay safe online.
AustraliaAustralian MPs and their families would benefit from new protections against online threats and coordinated safety measures developed through the Commonwealth forum.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
