Radio New Zealand reported that New Zealand’s parliamentary security team received 216 requests for advice or help from Sept. 28 to Oct. 18 as rising threats complicated lawmakers’ public duties.
The Security Information, Risk and Advisory Service made 81 deployments during the same period, according to figures obtained by RNZ. Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said its work includes protecting lawmakers during travel and public appearances and responding to protests or threatening conduct.
Parliament expanded the team ahead of the election as it expected greater demand, RNZ reported. It declined to describe individual incidents, citing security concerns.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee said threats against lawmakers had risen over the past three years. He described the current arrangement with police as “the strongest protocol we've ever had with the New Zealand Police.”
Brownlee cited global instability, financial strain and public discontent as factors behind the hostility. He also warned about the ready availability of inflammatory material online.
His remarks followed an attack on an Australian lawmaker who was critically injured and lost a leg, RNZ reported. Brownlee warned that intimidation could distance elected representatives from the communities they serve.
