Australian democracy is usually peaceful. But there’s a homegrown history of political violence | Joshua Black and Frank Bongiorno
News Source
•Wed, 21 Oct 2026 02:59:34 GMT
📰 What Happened
Two historians argue that Australia's politics is usually peaceful, but it has a homegrown history of political violence. They write that the alleged attack on Helen Haines has shocked a country that rarely sees this kind of brutality.
They say violence, both in words and in actions, has grown over the past 12 months. They point to the Bondi Beach massacre of 14 December 2025 as a turning point. The motive in the Haines case is not yet known.
🔍 The Backstory
No Australian prime minister or premier has ever been assassinated. But there have been attacks. In 1868 a prince was shot near Sydney. In 1966 Labor leader Arthur Calwell was shot in the jaw after a rowdy meeting about conscription.
In 1977 anti-drug campaigner Donald Mackay disappeared and was presumed murdered. In 1994 New South Wales MP John Newman was shot. The authors say this history can teach us something about today's heated politics.
🎯 Why It Matters
It is easy to think political violence happens elsewhere. This piece shows it has happened here before, and that words help set the tone.
Two historians argue that Australia's politics is usually peaceful, but it has a homegrown history of political violence. They write that the alleged attack on Helen Haines has shocked a country that rarely sees this kind of brutality.
They say violence, both in words and in actions, has grown over the past 12 months. They point to the Bondi Beach massacre of 14 December 2025 as a turning point. The motive in the Haines case is not yet known.
No Australian prime minister or premier has ever been assassinated. But there have been attacks. In 1868 a prince was shot near Sydney. In 1966 Labor leader Arthur Calwell was shot in the jaw after a rowdy meeting about conscription.
In 1977 anti-drug campaigner Donald Mackay disappeared and was presumed murdered. In 1994 New South Wales MP John Newman was shot. The authors say this history can teach us something about today's heated politics.
It is easy to think political violence happens elsewhere. This piece shows it has happened here before, and that words help set the tone.