Australian federal police chief links political rhetoric to threats against MPs
Commissioner Krissy Barrett said women in public office are singled out more often, sometimes facing threats of sexual violence.
What to know
- Barrett drew a direct connection between politicians' heated language and abuse aimed at elected representatives.
- She said women are more frequently targeted than their male colleagues.
- The comments followed an alleged deliberate attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta office.
Australia's top federal law enforcement official has linked the tone of political debate to threats and abuse directed at elected representatives. Commissioner Krissy Barrett said women are singled out more often, frequently with threats of sexual violence. Her remarks came after independent MP Helen Haines was allegedly deliberately attacked outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.
The safety of politicians at every level of government has been under scrutiny since that incident. Barrett did not detail specific cases or say whether prosecutions were expected. It is not yet clear what measures, if any, authorities plan to take to reduce the volume of threats against MPs.
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