WA MPs face rising hostility and safety fears after attacks on politicians

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time3 min

A wave of threats and violence against politicians in Western Australia has prompted soul-searching among MPs, with many saying it is becoming harder to balance accessibility with safety. The concerns follow an alleged attack on federal independent MP Helen Haines outside her Victorian office, which resulted in the loss of both her legs, and charges against a man for threatening staff at state Labor MP Hannah Beazley's office.

Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, visibly shaken after the incident at colleague Hannah Beazley's office, said being a politician has become more risky. "It is becoming more and more challenging to do this job," she said. "I love being an accessible member of Parliament, but I've certainly noticed over the last two years in particular it's getting harder and harder to do that."

Police officer-turned-Labor backbencher Mark Folkard, who said he is dealing with a stalker, questioned the drivers of the tension. "Everyone's saying let's take the heat down, but what's the driver of the heat? That's the question we've got to be asking," he said.

First-term Liberal MP Adam Hort described the week as "a dark week for democracy in Australia" and said it is "awful" that MPs have to second-guess being available for their community.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor pointed to a loss of trust in institutions, saying that gets worse if MPs cannot engage with people daily. WA Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti noted policy debates have become more "extreme" and that people are "dehumanising politicians."

Government minister John Carey, who is often a target of abuse due to his housing portfolio and because he is openly gay, said dehumanisation on social media creates an environment that enables violence against anyone in the public sphere.

One Nation's WA leader Rod Caddies, who said he was threatened while driving home the day after Dr Haines was attacked, urged caution about security measures. "[It's] just treating a symptom of a problem that's there. We need to always be looking to treat a cause and not the symptom," he said.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the threats in Western Australia are not as great as elsewhere, but acknowledged the anxiety politicians feel after an attack. He advised MPs on how to look after themselves and what to look out for.

The state government has announced funding for security upgrades at MPs' personal homes, a fast-tracked security review of Parliament, and an additional electorate officer for each MP.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The rising hostility threatens the accessibility of MPs, which is a cornerstone of democratic representation.
Falling trust in institutions may worsen if politicians are forced to reduce face-to-face engagement with constituents.
The incidents highlight the intersection of mental health, social media dehumanisation, and political violence, requiring broad societal responses.

Background

Political tensions have been escalating in Australia, marked by declining public trust in institutions and increasingly polarised debate. The alleged attack on federal independent MP Helen Haines, who lost both legs, and threats against state MPs have brought safety concerns to the forefront. Policymakers are now grappling with how to protect elected officials without further distancing them from the communities they serve. Mental health issues have been noted in some cases, including a magistrate stating that a man charged with threatening staff at Hannah Beazley's office had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Key Perspectives

Amber-Jade Sanderson (WA Energy Minister): It is becoming more challenging to do the job and harder to remain accessible. Mark Folkard (Labor backbencher): The focus should be on what drives the heat, not just trying to reduce it. Adam Hort (Liberal MP): The week has been dark for democracy, and it is awful that MPs must second-guess being available. Angus Taylor (Opposition Leader): Loss of trust gets worse if MPs cannot engage with people daily. Rita Saffioti (WA Deputy Premier): Policy debates are becoming more extreme, leading to dehumanisation of politicians. John Carey (Government minister): Dehumanising words on social media enable others to take violence against public figures. Rod Caddies (One Nation WA leader): Security measures treat symptoms; the root cause must be addressed. Col Blanch (Police Commissioner): Threats in WA are less severe than elsewhere, but anxiety is real; MPs should stay present in their communities.

What to Watch

Whether the security review of Parliament leads to physical changes or new protocols.
How mental health considerations enter the broader conversation about political violence.
Any further attacks or threats that could accelerate security measures or reduce MP accessibility.

Sources

'More and more challenging to do this job': MPs fear rising political tensions · ABC News

Checked

8 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 3 supported.

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Partly supportedThe headline says WA MPs face rising hostility and safety fears after attacks on politicians.Just In: “Investigations were also continuing into John Lawrence Smart, who has been charged with threatening staff at state Labor MP Hannah Beazley's office on Tuesday.”
Partly supportedA wave of threats and violence against politicians in WA prompted MPs to question how to balance accessibility with safety.Just In: “It's been a difficult week for even the most hardened of politicians in Western Australia, with an increase in hostility at their workplace prompting plenty of soul searching.”
SupportedHaines was allegedly attacked outside her Victorian electorate office, and the incident resulted in the loss of both her legs.Just In: “These conversations were sparked by an attack on federal independent MP Helen Haines outside her Victorian electorate office on Monday. It's not yet clear what motivated 43-year-old Brendan Nugent to allegedly run her down in an incident which has now taken both of her legs.”
SupportedA man was charged with threatening staff at state Labor MP Hannah Beazley’s office.Just In: “Investigations were also continuing into John Lawrence Smart, who has been charged with threatening staff at state Labor MP Hannah Beazley's office on Tuesday.”
SupportedSanderson said, “It is becoming more and more challenging to do this job.”Just In: ““It is becoming more and more challenging to do this job,” Ms Sanderson said.”
Partly supportedCarey said dehumanisation on social media creates an environment that enables violence against people in public life.Just In: ““People do not understand that their words in social media then create an environment which I think then enables other people, or empowers other people, to take violence, or to be aggressive, against anyone in the public sphere,” Mr Carey said.”
Partly supportedThe government announced security upgrades at MPs’ homes, a fast-tracked Parliament security review and an additional electorate officer for each MP.Just In: “In response to concerns being raised by MPs, even before this week, the government today announced it would fund security upgrades at their personal homes. A security review of Parliament will also be fast-tracked, in addition to providing politicians with an extra electorate officer.”
Partly supportedCommissioner Blanch advised MPs on how to look after themselves and what to look out for.Just In: ““So it's really about giving advice and guidance on how to look after yourselves, and what to look out for.” The ABC understands that is the advice MPs have started receiving in briefings.”