Albanese pledges quick security overhaul for MPs after office attack

Anthony Albanese promised a swift government response to safety threats facing members of parliament and their staff on Monday. The pledge came during a Labor partyroom meeting held hours after Senator Fatima Payman criticized the prime minister for the lack of resources assigned to her office.

The prime minister stated that politicians have endured a difficult threat environment for too long. He declared that the current week must mark a turning point for how civil discourse and security are handled in federal politics. Albanese acknowledged that more investment was required to protect MPs and their teams, noting that duress alarms were one of several options under consideration.

The security review follows an alleged attack on the MP for Indi last week. This incident prompted lawmakers from all parties to demand better protection for their electoral offices. Many reported facing increased abuse, including death and rape threats, both online and in person. The government is also examining safety protocols for polling booths during election periods.

Government sources indicated that a comprehensive proposal is likely to be announced in the next few days. The measures under review include hardening electoral offices, improving communication with federal police, and providing resources for security at private residences, such as CCTV and lighting. An existing review of commonwealth workplaces will be expedited to provide specific recommendations on safety and security.

Senator Fatima Payman, who left Labor in 2024 to sit on the crossbench, intensified her criticism of the prime minister's management of staff resources. During a Senate estimates hearing, she questioned whether Albanese held a personal grievance against her for her low staffing allocation. Payman currently has zero senior advisers, while 16 other crossbench politicians share 30, according to an internal document.

Payman told minister Don Farrell that her staff were severely overworked. She asked directly if the prime minister was waiting for an incident similar to the attack on Dr. Helen Haines to occur at her office before taking their requests seriously. Farrell and other Labor senators rejected the insinuation, but Payman refused to withdraw her comments until her staffing issue was resolved.

The senator also described a sharp rise in death threats and hate comments since she defected from Labor. She revealed that her office manager had recently opened a package containing human waste, which required a biohazard team to respond. Payman described the trauma inflicted on her staff by the incident, emphasizing that no worker should have to manage such conditions.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor told his Coalition counterparts that conversations with the government about personal safety were ongoing. He stressed the importance of getting the security measures right but did not put forward specific proposals of his own during the meeting.