In short:
More than a dozen Victorian politicians have told the ABC they have reported threats directed at MPs, their families and campaign volunteers.
asserted
they → tell → MPs
Premier Ben Carroll is expected to meet with electoral authorities today and says a "live" conversation is underway about security arrangements at voting centres.
asserted
conversation → expect → centres
Some state MPs have called for increased security and warned the tone of debate was having a "chilling effect" on democracy.
Victorian state politicians have pleaded for increased security, in response to death threats and abuse that have made some MPs reluctant to attend pre-polling centres when they open in four weeks' time.
The ABC understands Premier Ben Carroll will meet with the Victorian electoral commissioner today to discuss security arrangements in the lead-up to the state's November 28 poll.
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Carroll → call → poll
It is also understood the premier has called a special cabinet meeting to discuss safety concerns with elected members in the wake of Monday's attack on federal MP Helen Haines.
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premier → understand → Haines
On Tuesday, Premier Ben Carroll said there was a "live conversation" between government, police and the electoral commission about boosting security at voting centres.
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Carroll → say → centres
The ABC has spoken to more than a dozen state parliamentarians from across the political spectrum who all reported threats to their safety and that of their family, staff and volunteers.
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who → speak → family
Most wanted security to be ramped up and for state parliament and the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to do more to protect them, warning that the tenor of debate was having a chilling effect on democracy.
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tenor → want → democracy
There is a consensus among MPs that social media has escalated abuse and harassment, with some retiring from parliament or considering stepping back because of the constant stream of online hate.
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some → be → hate
Several MPs said threats and abuse directed at them and their staff had accelerated, particularly during the pandemic, when protesters performed a fake execution of an effigy of then premier Daniel Andrews on the steps of parliament.
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protesters → say → parliament
At the time, security arrangements for Mr Andrews moved to around-the-clock protection, the ABC understands.
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ABC → move → protection
During her time as premier, Jacinta Allan worried an MP was going to be killed.
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MP → worry → premier
"I do not remember a time when our foundations have felt so unsteady,'' Ms Allan said in her last media appearance in August to announce her retirement.
"
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Allan → remember → retirement
Public debate is deteriorating.
asserted
debate → deteriorate → ?
The line between truth and lie is increasingly blurred.
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line → blur → truth
"
Campaigning for the Victorian election paused on Tuesday out of respect for Ms Haines, which prompted Mr Carroll to reach out to state leaders including Opposition Leader Jess Wilson.
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which → pause → Wilson
"Whether it's your volunteer wearing a red t-shirt or a blue t-shirt or a green t-shirt or an orange, let's just make sure that as leaders that respect civility is first and foremost," he told 774 ABC Melbourne on Tuesday morning.
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he → wear → morning
Labor volunteers told not to campaign alone
The Labor Party has advised its volunteers to campaign in pairs, but preferably in larger groups and to remain alert to security risks.
MPs and ministers have repeatedly raised the alarm in cabinet and Labor caucus meetings, several sources said.
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sources → tell → meetings
Opposition MPs have also lobbied for increased security.
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MPs → lobby → security
Some politicians were hesitant to attend pre-polling booths, which open 10 days before Victoria's November election.
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which → attend → election
Upper house Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell said the situation was particularly dire for women with a profile.
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situation → say → profile
"It does change the way you move about the world.
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you → change → world
I consider my movements everywhere I go for my physical safety and I can't do a lot of things other politicians, particularly men, can do,'' she told the ABC.
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she → consider → ABC
Ms Purcell, whose partner is federal Labor MP Josh Burns, said Victorian MPs needed to have the same security arrangements as their federal counterparts.
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MPs → say → counterparts
One parliamentarian felt frustrated that they did not receive protection like the prime minister or premier.
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they → feel → minister
"Don't make decisions on behalf of us when you get personal protection," they said.
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they → make → protection
A VEC spokesperson said maintaining safe elections was its priority, adding: "Political violence has no place in our democracy."
Abuse driving candidates, MPs out of politics
Broadcaster Tracee Hutchison said she endured gendered attacks when she contested the May by-election in Nepean as an independent candidate.
uncertain
she → say → candidate
"One of the reasons I decided not to recontest in Nepean in November was because of the relentless sustained attacks on me, verbal abuse, online abuse, defacing of my political materials," Ms Hutchison told 774 ABC Melbourne on Tuesday.
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Hutchison → decide → Tuesday
Candidates and political parties reported that the mood had shifted at the last state election in 2022, shortly after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
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restrictions → report → 2022
"We were exposed to danger.
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We → expose → danger
We were not safe," Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas wrote in a submission to the parliament's review of the conduct of the election.
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Maas → write → election
"As people grew tired towards the end of a two-week pre-poll, I was fearing that someone might get hurt."
uncertain
someone → grow → poll
Deakin University extremism expert Josh Roose said targeted threats to politicians and their electorate offices began to spike during the pandemic.
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threats → say → pandemic
"One of the key drivers of that has been distrust in government," Dr Roose said.
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Roose → say → government
He said people were profiting from a polarised environment.
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people → say → environment
"That might be economic capital, i.e. clicks, and traffic being driven and advertising dollars online, but it's also political capital.
uncertain
it → drive → ?
Political parties are exploiting quite raw emotion out there, driven by the cost-of-living crisis, affordability, even diesel prices in our regions.
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parties → exploit → regions
People are angry," Dr Roose said.
asserted
Roose → say → ?
He said rural and regional communities were particularly vulnerable to radicalisation, and that this seemed to be correlated with poorer services.
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this → say → services
Extremists have hijacked events with MPs, and sovereign citizens — who do not believe governments hold legitimate authorities to make laws — are an increasing risk.
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governments → hijack → laws
Nationals MP Tim McCurdy, the state member for Ovens Valley, told radio station 3AW that the safety of politicians, especially women, needed to be addressed.
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safety → tell → politicians
…and 5 more, not listed.
The Aporia
