AFP says it will raise MP security with police chiefs after evidence on threats to parliamentarians
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What happened
At 27 October parliamentary evidence, AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the AFP had handled nearly 800 protective security reports involving parliamentarians in the first half of 2026 and said the force needed to do better on protection. Barrett said she would raise security arrangements for politicians with state and territory police commissioners.
Why it matters
The evidence converts concern about threats to elected representatives into an operational policing issue spanning the AFP and state forces. That can lead quickly to changes in protective posture for electorate offices, travel, community events and reporting protocols for harassment and suspected attack planning.
In parliamentary evidence on 27 October, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw's deputy Krissy Barrett said the AFP handled nearly 800 protective security reports targeting parliamentarians in the first six months of the year and said the force needed to improve protection. Barrett said she would take the issue to state and territory police commissioners, turning the hearing evidence into an immediate inter-jurisdictional security task. The development puts near-term focus on electorate office protection, public event security and how threats against MPs are reported and triaged.
Watch for
State and territory police commissioners' communique or operational note on MP protection issued on or after 2026-10-28 AFP confirmation on or after 2026-10-28 of revised threat-reporting or protective-security guidance for parliamentarians Department of Finance or Parliamentary Workplace Support Service notice on or after 2026-10-28 covering electorate office security measures or access controls Prime Minister Anthony Albanese or Home Affairs Minister public statement on or after 2026-10-28 announcing a coordinated security review for MPs