First, can I echo the Chief Commissioner’s words and sentiments; our thoughts and our well wishes remain with MP Haines and with her family during what is obviously an incredibly difficult time for them.
Today, I want to thank Victoria Police and Chief Commissioner Mike Bush for the exceptional investigative work undertaken in the past 36 hours.
It is an absolute testament to the dedication and professionalism of Victoria Police that an alleged offender has been charged after the incident on Monday afternoon.
The AFP, through the Victoria Joint Counter Terrorism Team, continues to assist Victoria Police and will continue to do so over the coming days and weeks.
While the full motivation of the alleged offender is subject to ongoing investigations, regardless, the shocking, alleged attack is what many had been dreading for some time.
Commonwealth parliamentarians have become increasingly worried about threats directed at them and their staff.
And agencies, like the AFP, that not only protect and defend Commonwealth parliamentarians, but also our democracy, have been increasingly concerned about the number of individuals being warned and being charged about their behaviour, particularly their online threats and abuse.
It is a Commonwealth offence to target federal parliamentarians and high office holders – and the charges laid by the AFP’s National Security Investigations teams shows the AFP will not hesitate to bring offenders before the courts. The NSI teams are charging almost one individual every week for targeting Commonwealth parliamentarians or high office holders.
I hope that this terrible event, that will forever change the life of the Member for Indi and her family, gives our country time to pause and reflect on the growing threats and unlawful behaviour against those who hold a Commonwealth office in Australia.
The current criminal threat environment is febrile and when it comes to federal parliamentarians, the AFP continues to record:
- The growing volume of online abuse, threatening rhetoric and intimidation;
- Increasing political polarisation and anti-government sentiment;
- Conspiracy-driven and grievance-based behaviours;
- Lone actors motivated by a convergence of personal grievance, mental health vulnerabilities, and ideological concerns; and
- The potential for violence to emerge with little or no forewarning, particularly where individuals have no previous protection intelligence footprint.
Today, the AFP will be among a number of agencies to re-affirm safety and security advice to Commonwealth parliamentarians thorough a series of in-depth briefings occurring this morning.
The AFP works closely with the Department of Home Affairs, ASIO and state and territory law enforcement agencies to help keep Commonwealth parliamentarians and their staff safe, and I want to acknowledge their efforts and their collaboration.
Thank you.
