Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised a swift government response to enhance security for politicians and parliamentary staff, following a recent alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines.
Addressing a Labor party room meeting on Tuesday morning, Albanese stated that last week’s incident involving Haines must serve as a turning point for civil discourse in Australia. He emphasized that politicians and their employees have endured threats for too long, confirming that the government is evaluating several new safety measures.
Among the options under consideration is the distribution of duress alarms, or panic buttons, to political offices to ensure staff can instantly alert authorities during emergencies. Albanese acknowledged that boosting physical security across electorate offices will require increased government investment.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke added that the government is also reviewing security protocols at polling booths around election periods. The broader push for safety measures comes amid growing concern over physical threats and harassment targeted at public officials.
Sources: theguardian.com
