Sexualised, violent threats: female Victorian MPs fear for their safety as they fight more than just next month’s election
News Source
•Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:00:35 GMT
📰 What Happened
Female MPs in Victoria say they fear for their safety before next month's state election. Upper house MP Georgie Purcell posted support for Helen Haines after Monday's alleged attack. Within hours a constituent said he wished it had happened to her. Another wrote: "You should be scared." She reported both. Police could not act on threats that vague.
She said being a woman in politics changes where she parks and which road she takes home. Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland shares her live location with her husband and staff when she travels. She said the abuse is sexualised and violent, and targets her children and home.
On Wednesday, Premier Ben Carroll met the police chief and electoral commissioner. Police want one central way to report threats against MPs. MPs get a briefing on Friday.
🔍 The Backstory
Abuse of Victorian politicians is not new. During Covid lockdowns, an effigy of then premier Daniel Andrews was hung on the parliament steps. Andrews said people were threatening his family, and he had round-the-clock guards. His successor, Jacinta Allan, was heckled at the 2025 Bush Summit by a person wearing a noose. Her staff left in tears.
A former staffer said Allan truly feared for her safety and warned that someone would be killed. In Canberra, the federal police build a picture of threats against federal MPs over time. In Victoria, each complaint is handled on its own.
🎯 Why It Matters
People who put their name on a ballot should not need guards to knock on doors. If threats keep women out of politics, voters lose their voice.
Female MPs in Victoria say they fear for their safety before next month's state election. Upper house MP Georgie Purcell posted support for Helen Haines after Monday's alleged attack. Within hours a constituent said he wished it had happened to her. Another wrote: "You should be scared." She reported both. Police could not act on threats that vague.
She said being a woman in politics changes where she parks and which road she takes home. Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland shares her live location with her husband and staff when she travels. She said the abuse is sexualised and violent, and targets her children and home.
On Wednesday, Premier Ben Carroll met the police chief and electoral commissioner. Police want one central way to report threats against MPs. MPs get a briefing on Friday.
Abuse of Victorian politicians is not new. During Covid lockdowns, an effigy of then premier Daniel Andrews was hung on the parliament steps. Andrews said people were threatening his family, and he had round-the-clock guards. His successor, Jacinta Allan, was heckled at the 2025 Bush Summit by a person wearing a noose. Her staff left in tears.
A former staffer said Allan truly feared for her safety and warned that someone would be killed. In Canberra, the federal police build a picture of threats against federal MPs over time. In Victoria, each complaint is handled on its own.
People who put their name on a ballot should not need guards to knock on doors. If threats keep women out of politics, voters lose their voice.