# MPs say security measures are failing them

> Federal politicians report deep fears for their safety after an attack on independent MP Helen Haines, saying some protection measures are infrequent or absent entirely.
- Title: MPs say security measures are failing them · Abc | Shortify
- Summary: Federal politicians report deep fears for their safety after an attack on independent MP Helen Haines, saying some protection measures are infrequent or…
- Keywords: helen haines, federal parliament, australian federal police, mp security, political violence, threat assessments, news, politics, MPs, say, security, measures
- Source: Abc — https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-21/federal-mp-afp-threat-assessments-lacking/107287500
- Published: 2026-10-20T17:21:52+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: helen haines, federal parliament, australian federal police, mp security, political violence, threat assessments, news, politics
## Attack on Haines shakes parliament
Federal MPs have described deep fears for their safety after an attack on independent MP Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta electorate office in regional Victoria.
## Security measures described as tokenistic
While ministers and high-profile individuals receive regular protection and threat assessments, other MPs have described infrequent or tokenistic threat assessments. Some said they had never been offered risk assessments for their home security.
## MPs express fear and unease
One MP said: I feel unsettled, that's how I feel. Unsettled and grieving. Another said: As a woman in politics, I feel pretty nervous at the moment.

> I feel unsettled, that's how I feel. Unsettled and grieving.
## Threats to MPs are widespread
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said security agencies identified more than one thousand threats to federal politicians in the most recent financial year. Every federal MP the ABC spoke to described receiving death threats.
## Police union calls for review
Australian Federal Police Association president Alex Caruana said the number of MPs expressing safety fears was increasing. He said staffing levels would have to be revisited in the wake of the attack against Helen Haines.
## Families also feeling unsafe
Caruana said: The number of politicians and the number of MPs that have rung me to say, Hey, I feel safe but my family don't feel safe, has increased significantly.

> The number of politicians and the number of MPs that have rung me to say, 'Hey, I feel safe but my family don't feel safe,' … has increased significantly.
## AFP to take over home security checks
The Australian Federal Police Association has called for privately contracted security assessments of MP homes to be brought under the AFP following the attack on Helen Haines.
## Key takeaway

Federal MPs say security measures meant to protect them are infrequent or missing entirely, with some never offered home risk assessments despite growing threats.