West Australian Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk shared an abusive message left on her office answering machine at a Business News breakfast on Tuesday, calling attention to the hostility faced by elected representatives and their staff as the state considers an audit of electorate office safety and allowances for MPs to upgrade security.
Speaking at a Business News event, the Fremantle MP shared a recording from an American man apparently angered by her past commentary on US politics. The caller insulted her and told her to “shut up about American politics”. McGurk also reported that a staff member had received a separate phone call containing profane abuse on Monday afternoon.
The issue has gained urgency following an incident in which federal Victorian independent MP Helen Haines lost both legs after she was allegedly rammed by a constituent outside her office. In WA, Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley’s electorate office subsequently went into lockdown after a man allegedly brandished nunchucks, while state One Nation leader Rod Caddies reported receiving a death threat.
All party leaders met WA Police at parliament on October 22 over safety concerns. The state is likely to conduct an audit of electorate office safety, and allowances available to MPs for security upgrades are under consideration.
“I think women get it in particular, but it really does extend to a lot of elected representatives,” she said.
“Staff that are working in our electorate offices just don’t deserve that sort of abuse,” she said.
McGurk described the temperature of public debate as being at an all-time high, saying she believed the problem extended beyond WA and Australia.
“I really want people to think about when they are feeling impatient or angry, just to take a step back and take a breath and not to take that out on the people around them.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- McGurk’s account highlights the exposure of electorate staff, as well as MPs, to abusive calls and aggression at work.
- The police meeting and possible security audit put the practical protection of electorate offices on the state’s agenda.
Background
Electorate offices serve as public contact points for representatives, allowing constituents to seek assistance and raise concerns. Protecting staff while maintaining public access is a practical consideration in decisions about office security.
What to Watch
- Whether WA proceeds with an electorate office safety audit and what improvements it recommends.
- Whether allowances for MPs to upgrade security are changed following the meeting with police.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedMcGurk said, “I think women get it in particular, but it really does extend to a lot of elected representatives.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I think women get it in particular, but it really does extend to a lot of elected representatives,” she said.”
- SupportedMcGurk said, “Staff that are working in our electorate offices just don’t deserve that sort of abuse.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Staff that are working in our electorate offices just don’t deserve that sort of abuse,” she said.”
- SupportedMcGurk said, “I really want people to think about when they are feeling impatient or angry, just to take a step back and take a breath and not to take that out on the people around them.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““I really want people to think about when they are feeling impatient or angry, just to take a step back and take a breath and not to take that out on the people around them.””
- SupportedThe caller told McGurk to “shut up about American politics”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “before telling her to “shut up about American politics””
- SupportedMcGurk shared an abusive voicemail amid concerns about WA MPs’ safety.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “WA minister shares vile voice message as concerns grow over MPs’ safety.”
- SupportedThe minister says electorate staff face aggression.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “McGurk said it was important people understood the sort of vitriol and aggression that many elected representatives and their staff received.”
- SupportedThe state is likely to conduct an audit of electorate office safety.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The state will likely conduct an audit of electorate office safety”
- SupportedAllowances for MPs to upgrade security are under consideration.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “they are considering allowances available to MPs to upgrade security.”
- SupportedMcGurk shared a message left on her office answering machine at a Business News breakfast on Tuesday.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Speaking at a Business News breakfast on Tuesday morning, McGurk vented her frustration at the current state of political debate in Australia”
- SupportedMcGurk said a staff member received a separate abusive phone call on Monday afternoon.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “McGurk said on Monday afternoon a staff member was called an “f---ing c---” over the phone.”
- SupportedHelen Haines lost both legs after she was allegedly rammed by a constituent outside her office.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “federal Victorian independent MP Helen Haines lost both her legs after being rammed allegedly by a constituent driving a four-wheel drive while she was outside her office.”
- SupportedHannah Beazley’s electorate office went into lockdown after a man allegedly brandished nunchucks.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “WA Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley’s Victoria Park electorate office was forced into lockdown when a man allegedly brandished nunchucks.”