Overview: Australia's Rising Tide of Politically Motivated Violence
Australian security services are on alert following a documented increase in politically motivated violence, threats, and harassment. This escalating trend affects public officials, specific communities, and the broader democratic environment.
Mike Burgess, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), previously described the threat of political violence as "flashing red" for Australia, noting a rise in incidents and diversification of risk sources.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recorded 951 reports of threatening, harassing, nuisance, and offensive communications to parliamentarians in the last financial year. This represents a significant 63% increase over just four years.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett indicated a rising trend of individual grievances and a "willingness to mobilise to violence." Federal politicians and diverse communities are particularly targeted in this environment, which is attributed in part to misinformation and disinformation.
Incidents Involving Public Officials
Numerous incidents highlight the increased threat faced by public officials across Australia:
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was temporarily evacuated from his official Canberra residence, The Lodge, following a bomb threat. The threat, delivered via email, falsely claimed explosives had been placed around the property. A police investigation found no suspicious items, and no evidence linked the Chinese embassy or government to the incident.
- A 2025 survey of federal politicians and their staff revealed alarming statistics. 85% reported encountering violent, threatening, or volatile behavior, including assault, spitting, and verbal threats.
- Nearly half of respondents indicated these incidents occurred more than once a month.
- Threats against candidates during the May 2025 federal election also escalated, increasing by 17% compared to the 2022 election.
The AFP has charged at least four individuals for threats against federal politicians, with weapons like swords and axes seized in one case. Since national security investigations teams were established in September, 21 individuals have been charged, predominantly for threats against office holders and the Jewish community.
Other reported incidents include threatening phone calls to the Prime Minister's office and online threats against Communications Minister Anika Wells in December. Independent MP Allegra Spender and NSW Opposition leader Kellie Sloane also reported violent threats in November following their criticism of a neo-Nazi rally.
A 2021 survey of Victorian Members of Parliament found that two in three had experienced harassment and threats, with 35% reporting stalking. Most respondents adjusted their lives due to these threats, including increasing personal security.
Threats and comments directed at female parliamentarians have been noted as particularly concerning.
Broader Societal Impacts and Community Targeting
The increase in threats extends beyond public officials, impacting specific communities and the wider social fabric of Australia.
Terrorism Threat Level
Australia's general terrorism threat level has been "Probable" since August 2024. This indicates a greater than 50% chance of an onshore attack or attack planning within 12 months. The update cited a concerning shift towards "hybrid" ideologies and faster radicalization.
Online Hate
A 2022 survey by the eSafety Commissioner revealed that 23% of Australian adults had personally experienced online hate based on their political views. This made politics the most cited factor for online hate, surpassing race, sexual orientation, gender, and appearance.
Mike Burgess highlighted the crucial link between online threats and real-world violence, noting the internet's profound influence on young people's sense of identity and community.
Targeted Communities
Specific communities are increasingly bearing the brunt of politically motivated aggression:
- The Executive Council of Australia Jewry reported a significant rise in antisemitism.
- The Islamophobia Register Australia documented 309 in-person Islamophobia incidents in 2023 and 2024 – more than double any other two-year period since 2014.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have also faced politically motivated violence, including an attempted bombing at a Perth Invasion Day rally.
Democratic Health
The 2025 McKinnon Index found that approximately half of Australians are dissatisfied with the functioning of Australia's democracy. Alarmingly, nine percent of respondents stated that it is sometimes justifiable to use extreme measures, including violence, to advance a cause, with younger Australians more likely to hold this view.
Contributing Factors to the Rise in Threats
Experts and security agencies have identified several key factors fueling this disturbing trend:
- Global political tensions resonating in Australia, significantly amplified by social media and the spread of misinformation.
- Declines in social cohesion and a notable decrease in institutional trust among the population.
- The pervasive spread of misinformation and disinformation, influenced by major global events such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
- The activities of anti-government extremist movements, including neo-Nazi, jihadist, sovereign citizen, and various conspiracy-minded groups.
- The COVID-19 pandemic played a critical role in fueling public discontent, contributing to the mainstreaming of conspiratorial narratives online.
- Influence from far-right movements in other countries, particularly the United States, has been noted as contributing to a "normalisation of extreme hatred" within Australia.