AFP received nearly 800 threats against MPs in six months, Senate told; Israeli election too close to call

Government fast-tracks security review after attack on Helen Haines; opposition bloc edges ahead in exit polls

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Updated27 October 2026

Read Time4 min

Sources5 outlets

The Australian Federal Police received almost 800 security complaints from federal politicians in the first six months of this year, commissioner Krissy Barrett told the Senate, as the government fast-tracks a security review following last week's attack on independent MP Helen Haines. Meanwhile, Israelis have voted in their first national election since the October 7, 2023 attack, with early exit polls showing the opposition bloc of parties edging slightly ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition.

Security threats and MP safety

Federal politicians will receive a safety boost that could include a wider use of emergency alarms, as the government fast-tracks a security review after the attack on independent MP Helen Haines. AFP commissioner Krissy Barrett told the Senate yesterday that the force received almost 800 security complaints from federal politicians in the first six months of this year.

Greens senator dispute

The woman accused by Greens senator Jordon Steele-John of sending hundreds of messages has hit back. The Perth woman said she was shocked when she saw intimate details posted on Instagram by Steele-John and that the senator was trying to discredit her.

Capital gains tax fight

Crossbench MP Allegra Spender is leading the charge to block Labor's changes to investor taxes. Spender is trying to convince the government to abandon overhauling the capital gains tax discount, a key change made in a suite of tax reforms announced in the May budget.

Israeli election

Liberal senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said Netanyahu was "a great survivor of Israeli politics" but that high turnout among Arab-Israelis signalled the possibility he could be ousted. "This is going to be the highest level turnout in election for about 30 years, and it's particularly high amongst the Arab-Israeli community," he told the Today show. Polls have closed, with exit polls showing the opposition bloc slightly ahead. Sharma noted it could take weeks to form a coalition.

Alexander brothers sentenced

Three brothers convicted of exploiting their wealth and luxury real estate to drug and rape dozens of women were sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison in New York. US District Judge Valerie E. Caproni announced the punishment for Tal, Oren and Alon Alexander after 11 accusers spoke. One woman, using a pseudonym, said: "It took one night, only a few hours, one invitation to completely wreck the girl I once was." Twins Oren and Alon, 39, and Tal Alexander, 40, were convicted in March of sex trafficking.

Golf club grant controversy

National Party leader Matt Canavan accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of having a "loose relationship with the truth" after Albanese admitted claims he made about a $6 million grant to a golf club in his electorate were wrong. Albanese conceded the grant was not designed to fund sewerage works, contradicting earlier claims. One leading constitutional expert described the program as "grey corruption".

Brazil senator heads to US

Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has left for the United States after losing the presidential election and refusing to comply with a Supreme Court order to hand over his passports, two sources said. The departure threatens to deepen a rift between Brazil and the US. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has accused Washington of colluding with the Bolsonaros.

Inflation and budget

Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson said he expects an increase in the headline inflation rate when the ABS releases fresh data today. "Government spending has been the key driver of why we have elevated core inflation or underlying inflation," he told News24. Wilson did not rule out cutting spending on healthcare and aged care to pay for Coalition commitments.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The nearly 800 threats against MPs in six months highlight a deteriorating security environment for Australian politicians, with potential impacts on democratic processes and public trust.
The Israeli election could reshape the Middle East political landscape, with Netanyahu's future in doubt and implications for the Gaza war and regional stability.
The dispute between Jordon Steele-John and his accuser raises questions about the use of social media by politicians in personal matters and the handling of such allegations.

Background

The attack on independent MP Helen Haines last week prompted the government to accelerate a security review. The AFP's figures are the first detailed public data on threats against federal politicians since security concerns rose globally.
The Israeli election is the first since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel's subsequent bombardment of Gaza, which has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians according to the source. Netanyahu has been in power for nearly two decades.
The Alexander brothers' case involved decades of sexual assaults enabled by their wealth and real estate access, resulting in a high-profile trial.

Key Perspectives

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett: told the Senate the force received almost 800 security complaints from federal politicians in the first six months of this year.
Liberal senator Dave Sharma: said Netanyahu is "a great survivor of Israeli politics" but that high Arab-Israeli turnout could unseat him.
National Party leader Matt Canavan: accused Prime Minister Albanese of having a "loose relationship with the truth" over the golf club grant.
Perth woman: said she was shocked by Greens senator Jordon Steele-John posting intimate details on Instagram and that he was trying to discredit her.
Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson: expects a rise in headline inflation and said government spending is driving core inflation.

What to Watch

The outcome of the Israeli election and coalition formation, which could take weeks.
The release of ABS inflation data today and any RBA rate decision in early November.
The progress of the security review for MPs and any further measures announced by the government.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe AFP received nearly 800 threats against MPs in six months, as the Senate was told.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Nearly 800 threats against MPs in six months, AFP says”
SupportedThe government is fast-tracking a security review after last week's attack on Helen Haines.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the government fast-tracks a security review following last week’s attack on independent MP Helen Haines.”
Partly supportedExit polls show the opposition bloc edging ahead of Netanyahu's coalition.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Polls have just closed in Israel, with early exit polls indicating the opposition bloc of parties edging slightly ahead of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.”
SupportedThe AFP received almost 800 security complaints from federal politicians in the first six months of the year, Commissioner Krissy Barrett told the Senate yesterday.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The AFP received almost 800 security complaints from federal politicians in the first six months of this year, commissioner Krissy Barrett told the Senate yesterday.”
SupportedIsraelis have voted in their first national election since the October 7, 2023 attack.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Israelis have headed to the polls for their first national elections since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023”
SupportedDave Sharma called Netanyahu “a great survivor of Israeli politics” in comments to the Today show.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Liberal senator and former ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “a great survivor of Israeli politics””
SupportedDave Sharma said turnout would be the highest in about 30 years and particularly high among Arab-Israelis, in comments to the Today show.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““This is going to be the highest level turnout in election for about 30 years, and it's particularly high amongst the Arab-Israeli community.”
SupportedA woman using a pseudonym said the assault took one night, a few hours and one invitation to wreck the girl she once was.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““It took one night, only a few hours, one invitation to completely wreck the girl I once was,” one woman, using a pseudonym to protect her identity, said”
SupportedMatt Canavan accused Anthony Albanese of having a “loose relationship with the truth.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Canavan told Nine’s Today show: “It’s not just that the prime minister has a clear, loose relationship with the truth.””
SupportedTim Wilson said government spending had been the key driver of elevated core or underlying inflation.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Government spending has been the key driver of why we have elevated core inflation or underlying inflation. That’s why interest rates keep going up.””
Partly supportedThe Alexander brothers were convicted of exploiting their wealth and luxury real estate to drug and rape dozens of women.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Three brothers convicted of exploiting their wealth and access to luxury real estate to drug and rape dozens of women”
SupportedFlavio Bolsonaro left Brazil for the US after losing the presidential election and refusing to comply with a Supreme Court order to hand over his passports, according to two sources.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has left the country for the US after losing the presidential election and refusing to comply with a Supreme Court order to hand over his passports, two sources said.”

Correction

27 October 2026An earlier version of this story described the woman as Greens senator Jordon Steele-John's accuser. She was the woman he accused of sending hundreds of messages.