Key facts
- Australian Federal Police are using counterterrorism technology to address threats against parliamentarians.
- Making threats against federal parliamentarians is an offense, regardless of intent.
- Victoria Police are proactively searching for threats ahead of the Nov. 28 Victorian election.
- A man accused of attacking Haines faces charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a commonwealth public official.
- Attempted murder or terrorism charges have not been ruled out for the accused.
Australian police are enhancing security measures for federal parliamentarians by employing counterterrorism technology to combat rising threats. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw stated that individuals making threats against federal politicians are often surprised when charged, emphasizing that intent does not negate the offense. "It is an offense to threaten a federal parliamentarian," said Barrett, highlighting the AFP's priority to intervene and demonstrate consequences for such behavior. Federal parliamentarians are scheduled to receive briefings on Wednesday regarding these enhanced safety measures. In Victoria, Chief Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed that Victoria Police are actively monitoring potential threats to politicians and candidates in the lead-up to the November 28 state election, including centralized reporting and proactive threat identification. Bush noted that Victoria Police had no prior intelligence on the individual accused of attacking MP Fiona Haines, who appeared in court on Wednesday. The accused faces charges including dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a commonwealth public official, with further charges not ruled out. The Inter-Parliamentary Union, led by Australian Speaker of the House Milton Dick, has expressed concern over the attack.