Arabic version: سياسيو إقليم العاصمة الأسترالية يصفون تهديدات وإساءات ومخاوف أمنية

According to ABC News, several ACT Legislative Assembly members have described threats, abuse and intimidation they have experienced following the attack on federal independent MP Helen Haines outside her Victorian electorate office. The incident has renewed concern about the safety of elected representatives and the risks attached to public-facing political work.

Canberra Liberals MLA Elizabeth Lee said she had contacted police twice over what she described as “very serious threats”. One death threat, naming her daughter and partner, was delivered to her front gate. Lee said the experience made her question the effect political life could have on her family’s safety. She also described sexist and racist online comments, including criticism of her weight, body shape and clothing, during her decade representing the community.

ACT Health Minister Marisa Paterson said she had faced abuse, violent threats and an incident in which she was spat at while outside local shops. While she said 97 per cent of her interactions with Canberrans were “amazing”, Paterson described abuse in person and online as a disturbing part of the job that could leave her feeling vulnerable. She said misogynistic, violent and hateful online comments had increased very significantly over the past 18 months.

Greens MLA Laura Nuttall said social-media abuse frequently targeted her sexuality, gender, appearance and political views. She said some comments had affected her confidence and that the attack on Haines had frightened her. Independent MLA Thomas Emerson said female colleagues faced far more abuse than he and male colleagues did, while distinguishing respectful policy disagreement from personal attacks.

Despite the incidents, the MLAs said they remained committed to being accessible to constituents. Paterson said meeting people at shops and community events was a key part of her work, while Nuttall said representatives should be as accessible as possible. Lee and Emerson said politicians, media, social-media companies and others with public voices had responsibilities in shaping public debate.