One Australian charged a week with threats to MPs as rhetoric heats up
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett says one person a week is charged with threats to MPs. She links the surge to inflammatory political rhetoric.
The head of Australia's Federal Police says politicians' heated language is having a direct effect on threats against MPs. Barrett revealed authorities are getting flooded with serious threats.
They are charging roughly one person a week. Barrett said her day often starts by reading long reports on threats to MPs.
About half of those threats target female MPs and are sexual in nature. Barrett was asked about a One Nation cartoon showing a politician being hit by a car.
She said such images prompt real reactions. "Words matter," she said, "and we do see the flow-on impact."
The comments follow the attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her office in north-east Victoria. Barrett said police were investigating the attacker's mental health.
They were also looking into the causes or issues he had aligned himself with. Though determining a clear motive could take weeks.
- approximately 1
- Charges per week
- about 50 percent
- Threats targeting female MPs
- Helen Haines
- Attacked MP
- Krissy Barrett
- AFP Commissioner
Why it mattersRising threats to MPs threaten the safety of elected representatives. These threats may deter people from running for office. This could affect our democracy and how it works.
AustraliaAustralian parliamentarians are considering new security measures for themselves and their staff. The debate over political tone is now central to parliament's return after the Haines attack.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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