Federal MPs raise security fears after alleged attack on Helen Haines

Security agencies will review safety precautions for federal MPs' homes and offices, after numerous politicians told the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and ASIO, the domestic intelligence agency, that they were worried about widening threats. The concern followed the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines, according to Guardian Australia.

Haines, 65, is the Federal Member for Indi. She was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser outside her electorate office, the local office where an MP meets constituents, on Monday, October 19, 2026. Her husband has confirmed that she lost both legs. Authorities say the collision was a deliberate attack.

Brendan Nugent, 43, is accused of the attack and was refused bail. Police have not ruled out further charges against him. Victoria Police is leading the investigation, and police have said the motivation is still under investigation.

On Wednesday, October 21, the AFP and ASIO gave safety briefings to Labor, Coalition and crossbench MPs. The crossbench is the group of independents and minor-party members who sit outside the two major party blocs. About six such briefings had been held earlier, and the ASIO director-general and federal police briefed parliamentarians throughout the day.

Guardian Australia interviewed 10 MPs about the briefings, and the security of their homes and electorate offices was a common concern. Several said they had spent thousands of dollars of their own money on safety features such as cameras and floodlights, acting on federal police advice. Some MPs chose to pay for these upgrades after their risk assessments by security agencies did not offer them.

The AFP recorded 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against office holders two years before 2026. That figure rose to 1,067 last year.

Numerous MPs said they did not want security guards or armed escorts for themselves in public. Federal ministers receive stronger security assistance than backbench MPs, meaning those without ministerial posts, and backbenchers said they felt under-resourced.

Ideas floated in response to the attack include a new committee on MPs' safety, greater resources for police, and motions of condolence for Haines. The government and parliament are still considering their responses, with parliament due to return the following week. Security officials have committed to assessing the safety settings of MPs who raised specific concerns. A broad government review was not expected at that stage.

On Wednesday, WA Police arrested a man who allegedly caused a disturbance at a Perth electorate office and made verbal threats while in possession of nunchucks. No one was injured, police said.

Independent MP Monique Ryan said people were getting activated because they see MPs as part of the government and as the face of the system to their constituents.