AFP Commissioner links political conflict to threats against MPs

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett has said the threat environment for politicians has changed. She said particular political conflict and debate has a direct link to threats and abuse against parliamentarians, sometimes very immediate, according to The Guardian.

Speaking to ABC's Insiders program, Barrett said she reads a report every morning summarising threats reported to the AFP over the previous 24 hours. On some days, she said, that report runs to many pages.

The AFP is responsible for protecting federal politicians and office-holders. Barrett said male and female MPs are targeted equally with threats and abuse. Women, however, are more often singled out individually, and those threats often include threats of sexual violence.

Barrett said she was not interested in policing free speech or intervening in political discourse.

Independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly deliberately attacked outside her Wangaratta electoral office. She remains in serious but stable condition at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after a double leg amputation, according to The Guardian. The AFP held emergency safety briefings with parliamentarians after the alleged attack. Barrett has said the AFP's thoughts and well wishes remain with Haines and her family.

Barrett has also said that almost one person is charged every week for targeting parliamentarians over threats.

The AFP has announced the establishment of a new team focused on high-harm, high-impact politically related threats.