Australian Federal Police (AFP) recorded 1,067 reports of harassing, nuisance, offensive and threatening behavior involving high officeholders, federal lawmakers, electorate offices and protected establishments in 2025-26.
The total rose from 951 in 2024-25, the AFP said. The reports cover harassing, nuisance, offensive and threatening behavior involving high officeholders, federal lawmakers, electorate offices and protected establishments. The agency said not every report met the threshold for a crime.
Gulf News reported that political violence remains rare in Australia, although police have logged a sustained increase in threats and abuse aimed at elected officials in recent years.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the agency’s National Security Investigations teams were charging nearly one person a week for targeting federal lawmakers or senior officials. She said political polarization and anti-government sentiment were increasing, while extremist views were becoming more visible online. Barrett also described rising online abuse and intimidation targeting parliamentarians.
Victoria Police allege a driver targeted Haines, 65, by striking her with a vehicle outside her office in Wangaratta on Oct. 19. The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne said she remained in critical condition. Her husband, Phil Haines, said Wednesday that doctors had amputated both her legs.
On Tuesday, Barrett said the Wangaratta incident appeared isolated and police knew of no related threats.
The AFP said it was briefing parliamentarians on security and would continue supporting Victoria Police through the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team.
ABC identified the accused as Brendan Nugent, 43; Victoria Police charged him with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentionally causing serious injury and causing harm to a Commonwealth public official. ABC and The Associated Press reported he appeared in court Wednesday, entered no plea and did not seek bail. He is due back Feb. 4, 2027.
