Australian lawmaker’s office threats: man charged

Australian police said they charged a 56-year-old man after threatening behaviour at a lawmaker's office, in a case that comes amid renewed concern about the safety of elected officials.

Western Australian state police said the man was arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly made threats and brandished a pair of nunchucks. Police said he was charged with making threats and possession of cannabis and would face court on Thursday.

Local media said the incident took place at the electoral office of Hannah Beazley, a state lawmaker from Australia's ruling Labor Party.

The case comes days after lawmaker Helen Haines was struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne. Her husband, Phil Haines, told journalists on Wednesday that surgeons had amputated both her legs. Her alleged attacker faced court on Wednesday.

Authorities have said they will not speculate on the motive in the Haines case while the investigation continues.

Threats against Australian lawmakers and electorate offices doubled between 2021 and 2025, with 1,067 incidents reported to police last year. Federal lawmakers and their staff were briefed on security on Wednesday by Australia's spy agency and the federal police.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Sydney radio on Thursday that there had been a "normalisation of behaviour that can be very aggressive" in recent years.