Coalition MP calls for rethink of pre-poll voting amid security fears after Haines attack

Garth Hamilton suggests shortening pre-poll period; Labor inquiry chair and AEC raise concerns

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published27 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

Liberal-National MP Garth Hamilton has called for a rethink of pre-poll voting at federal elections, including potentially shortening the time booths are open, citing security concerns for voters and volunteers in the wake of the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines.

Hamilton, the member for the Queensland electorate of Groom, said on Tuesday he had witnessed three interactions between cars and people at pre-poll, two accidental. He said the length of the pre-polling period, allocation of resources and the role of postal voting could all be considered to lower risk. "What we obviously want is not in any way to restrict anybody's access to democracy, but we also want to make sure that it's done in a safe way," Hamilton said.

Pre-polling booths usually open one to two weeks before an election. More than nine million votes (56 per cent) were cast at early voting centres in the 2025 federal election, according to the Australian Electoral Commission's 2025 election report.

Labor MP Jerome Laxale, who chairs the parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 election, raised safety at a caucus meeting on Tuesday. His committee's interim report recommends the electoral commission reviews resourcing requirements and the duration of pre-poll voting. The AEC advised that shortening the pre-poll period would not decrease early voting but would "compress the growing demand into a shorter period and increase operational risks, such as queues and shortages of appropriate venues."

Laxale said it was incumbent on parliament to provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere at polling booths. "Democracy doesn't collapse, it just crumbles," he said. "If people go, 'you know what? I don't want to deal with that. I'm not going to vote,' then that has a snowball effect, which will undermine and erode our democratic process. Voting has to be safe and secure."

Submissions to the inquiry detailed neo-Nazis turning up to booths with speakers, volunteers being bullied and harassed and voters leaving in tears.

Independent MP Monique Ryan said candidates, volunteers and campaign workers facing threats of violence should be given clear guidance for engaging with federal and state police. "We need to go back to democracy sausages and bake sales, not voters feeling intimidated and harassed as they approach polling booths," she said.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Security concerns for voters and volunteers at polling places could affect democratic participation.
The attack on Helen Haines has heightened focus on political safety, prompting discussion of electoral process changes.
Any changes to pre-poll voting could affect millions of Australians who have shifted to early voting.

Background

The call comes as parliament returned after the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines, who is in a serious but stable condition after both her legs were amputated. Pre-poll voting has grown significantly: 56% of votes were cast early in the 2025 election. A parliamentary inquiry is examining the 2025 election.

Key Perspectives

Garth Hamilton (Liberal-National MP): Says the risk of having voters and volunteers lining up near car parks or roads needs to be assessed, and that the length of pre-poll, resource allocation and postal voting could be reconsidered to lower risk without restricting access to democracy. Jerome Laxale (Labor MP, chair of election inquiry): Stresses voting must be safe and secure; warns that if people avoid voting due to safety fears, it will undermine democratic process. His committee recommends the AEC review pre-poll resourcing and duration. Australian Electoral Commission: Advised that shortening the pre-poll period would not reduce early voting but would compress demand, increasing operational risks like queues and venue shortages. Monique Ryan (independent MP): Calls for clear guidance for candidates and campaign workers on engaging with police when facing threats; wants a return to a safe, welcoming atmosphere at polling booths.

What to Watch

Whether the government acts on the interim report's recommendations before the next election.
Any further security measures for politicians and polling places announced by the AFP or government.
The outcome of the parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 election and its final report.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedThe headline presents the incident involving Helen Haines as an attack, without saying it was alleged.World news | The Guardian: “as parliament returned after the alleged attack on Helen Haines”
Partly supportedThe summary says the Labor inquiry chair and the AEC raised concerns.World news | The Guardian: “It is understood Jerome Laxale, a Labor MP who chairs the parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 election, raised safety and his committee’s interim report on the issue at a caucus meeting on Tuesday. [...] The AEC advised the committee that shortening the pre-poll period would not decrease early voting”
SupportedHamilton called for a rethink of federal pre-poll voting, including potentially shortening the time booths are open.World news | The Guardian: “A Liberal-National MP has called for a rethink of pre-poll voting at federal elections, including potentially shortening the amount of time booths are open”
SupportedHamilton cited security concerns for voters and volunteers after the alleged Haines attack.World news | The Guardian: “amid concerns of threats to voters and volunteers. Security risks to politicians and their staff have been front and centre this week, as parliament returned after the alleged attack on Helen Haines”
SupportedHamilton said he had witnessed three interactions between cars and people at pre-poll, two accidental.World news | The Guardian: ““I’ve had three elections and I’ve witnessed three interactions between cars and people at pre-poll, two accidental, one wasn’t,” Hamilton said on Tuesday.”
SupportedHamilton said, “What we obviously want is not in any way to restrict anybody's access to democracy, but we also want to make sure that it's done in a safe way.”World news | The Guardian: ““What we obviously want is not in any way to restrict anybody’s access to democracy, but we also want to make sure that it’s done in a safe way,” Hamilton said.”
SupportedMore than nine million votes, or 56 per cent, were cast at early voting centres in the 2025 federal election.World news | The Guardian: “More than 9m votes, or 56%, were cast at early voting centres, according to the Australian Electoral Commission’s 2025 election report .”
Partly supportedLaxale raised safety at a caucus meeting on Tuesday.World news | The Guardian: “It is understood Jerome Laxale, a Labor MP who chairs the parliamentary inquiry into the 2025 election, raised safety and his committee’s interim report on the issue at a caucus meeting on Tuesday.”
SupportedThe inquiry’s interim report recommends that the electoral commission review pre-poll resourcing requirements and duration.World news | The Guardian: “The report recommends the electoral commission reviews the resourcing requirements and duration of pre-poll voting to ensure adequate arrangements are in place”
SupportedThe AEC advised that shortening the pre-poll period would not decrease early voting but would compress demand and increase operational risks such as queues and venue shortages.World news | The Guardian: “The AEC advised the committee that shortening the pre-poll period would not decrease early voting, but would instead “compress the growing demand into a shorter period and increase operational risks, such as queues and shortages of appropriate venues”.”
SupportedLaxale said, “Democracy doesn't collapse, it just crumbles,” and said voting had to be safe and secure.World news | The Guardian: ““Democracy doesn’t collapse, it just crumbles,” he said. [...] “Voting has to be safe and secure.””
SupportedRyan said, “We need to go back to democracy sausages and bake sales, not voters feeling intimidated and harassed as they approach polling booths.”World news | The Guardian: ““We need to go back to democracy sausages and bake sales, not voters feeling intimidated and harassed as they approach polling booths,” she said.”