Security reviews ramp up for MP offices on attack fears
Some MPs will have their electorate offices’ security bolstered after an alleged attack on Helen Haines heightened fears.
Some politicians will receive security updates in their electorate offices after raising concerns about threats in the wake of a gruesome alleged attack on a colleague.
Daily reviews are occurring due to MPs’ concerns after independent Indi representative Helen Haines was struck repeatedly by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta office last Monday.
Police are examining the motive of the alleged attack.
At least nine MPs will have security crackdowns accelerated for their electorate offices, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher confirmed, after they raised concerns last week.
Security in Parliament House’s public places will also be stepped up.
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“It’s very legitimate that we have a look at that and respond,” she told ABC Radio National on Tuesday.
Security is handled across several departments: the Australians Federal Police are responsible for assessments and security details, Home Affairs looks after home security, and Finance handles offices and transport.
All three coordinate to share information, Finance secretary Matt Yannopoulos confirmed in a late-night Senate estimates sitting on Monday.
But the updated protection would not be enough to shield women in the public eye from abuse, Gallagher warned, urging social media companies to take action when threats are posted on their platforms.
Her comments come ahead of the government’s Digital Duty of Care bill that is set to be debated in the lower house on Wednesday.
Under the proposal, social media platforms would be forced to protect users under 18 from content that promotes crime or eating disorders, pornography or misogynistic content, as well as posts that cause distress.
Representatives from the media regulator and the eSafety commissioner will likely field questions about the proposed legislation during Senate estimates on Tuesday.
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On Monday, Gallagher’s colleague Tanya Plibersek, who has been an MP for 30 years, told the parliament that public life was “100 per cent worth it” for helping people, despite the rising tenor of debate.
“We can’t vacate the field to the people who would stop us from doing that,” she said.
As the sun set over the capital, Labor backbencher Ali France described learning of the attack.
“I felt like I couldn’t breathe, my chest hurt, and like the speed of light, my brain went straight to her fight for life,” France recounted in parliament.
“The flashes of fear that she may have had, the confusion of not knowing what was hurt or who was hurt, the urgency and the heroism of bystanders, her staff, and first responders.
“I went there because I know it.”
France was seriously injured saving her youngest son Zac from an out-of-control vehicle in a shopping centre car park in 2011 and had a leg amputated.
“What I do not know is being deliberately attacked, targeted at work by a member of the community I serve and love.”
Politicians from all parties have shared experiences of threats of violence reaching their offices and families, with France calling for a return to respectful debate.
“We must be better, and we must demand better from big tech and the online environment,” she said.
-with AAP
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