The Australian Federal Police (AFP) received 785 threats against federal parliamentarians in the first half of 2026, highlighting growing concerns about the safety of MPs and their staff. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett disclosed the figures during Senate estimates hearings, emphasizing that threats often emerge suddenly and are driven by a mix of personal grievance, mental health issues, and ideological motivations.

Of the threats reported between January 1 and July 1, 394 targeted male parliamentarians, 371 targeted female parliamentarians, and the remaining 3 percent were general threats against politicians. Barrett noted that female MPs were three times more likely to receive sexualized or gender-based offensive contact, with those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds experiencing more frequent and varied abuse. Men also faced gendered threats, including accusations of weakness or femininity. The nature of the threats related closely to policy positions, perceived performance, public profile, and personality.

The rise in threats followed a violent incident last week in which independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly attacked outside her electorate office in Victoria’s regional area. The attack spurred calls across parties for increased security measures for MPs and their staff. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the Labor party-room, vowing a “swift government response” and acknowledging that politicians and their staff have endured threats for too long. Albanese indicated that options under consideration included providing duress alarms or panic buttons for electorate offices and improving security infrastructure.

Albanese emphasized the need for a cultural shift, describing the current week as a potential “turning point” for how threats and unacceptable behavior are handled. He committed to further investments in safety, promising MPs that the government would do more to protect both them and their staff. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke added that safety concerns around polling booths during elections were also being reviewed, with government sources indicating that a range of security enhancements, from office hardening to improved communication with federal police, were being considered. A review of commonwealth workplace safety procedures is underway, with an expedited timeline for safety-related recommendations.

Amid these developments, Senator Fatima Payman, who left the Labor party in 2024 to become an independent, criticized the government for not addressing staffing needs in her office. She reported experiencing increased threats since her defection, including death threats and hate mail, and described an incident where her office received a letter containing human feces that required hazardous material teams. Payman claimed her staff were overworked due to a lack of allocated advisers, contrasting her situation with other crossbench MPs who share multiple advisers. During Senate estimates, she accused Prime Minister Albanese of ignoring her requests until a serious incident occurs, referencing the attack on Haines. Labor senators rejected these claims.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor acknowledged ongoing discussions on MP safety but did not outline specific proposals. The overall response reflects bipartisan concern and commitment to enhancing the security and wellbeing of Australian parliamentarians and their staff amid a troubling rise in threats and violence.