The move comes after what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as an attack on federal independent MP Helen Haines outside her electorate office this week, which has renewed focus on the safety of Australian politicians.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the attack was "devastatingly sad" but unsurprising, noting that abuse of politicians had been building in volume and tone. "It does feel elevated. Greater in volume, sharper and meaner, frankly, in tone. And I've copped homophobic abuse throughout my career but it's going beyond that now," he told ABC radio.
ACT Opposition Leader Mark Parton echoed calls to lower the temperature of political discourse, stating that in his 10 years as an elected member, online threats had surged in the last two to three years. "I've been an elected member for 10 years. I reckon in the first five years I didn't have anybody online suggest that they wanted to harm me in any way and in the last two or three years, wow, it's just been crazy," he said in a social media video.
Speaker Hanson told the Assembly that a survey of MLAs last year revealed far too many had experienced threatening behaviour, including threats of sexual violence and death threats. He cited two major concerns: politically motivated violence and fixated individuals. The armed guards were introduced after a security audit last year, though Mr Hanson said his preference was for police to provide security. ACT Policing, however, indicated a private contractor would be best placed.
Police Minister Marisa Paterson said the attack on Dr Haines was "a dark day for Australia," and stressed that threats and violence were overwhelmingly directed at women. She warned that the incident could undermine the accessibility fundamental to democracy.
The ACT Greens have expressed reservations about the decision to contract armed guards. Greens MLA Laura Nuttall questioned whether the measure is necessary and proportionate, noting that the security audit did not recommend an armed security force. "The audit certainly recommended an uplift in our security workforce capabilities, but it did not recommend a security force equipped with firearms," she told the Assembly in September.
Greens deputy leader Andrew Braddock recounted receiving violent threats after posting online to condemn anti-immigration rallies, underscoring the divisive climate that members believe is driving the escalation.
ASIO head Mike Burgess warned in June that acts of politically motivated violence were becoming more likely, framing the local security measures within a broader national trend.