Politics · Australia · 9 hrs ago
Column warns of rising political threats and violence in Australia
A recent survey found 9 per cent of Australians considered political violence justified, the column says, equivalent to about two million adults.
That figure is from last year, as is the estimate of about 1.35 million weekly churchgoers used for comparison.
Small Business Minister Anne Aly said she received 19 death threats in one week, after a Liberal MP called for her and the prime minister to be stoned.
Australian federal police say politicians receive about three threats a day, and a survey found 85 per cent of politicians and their staff had faced threatening or volatile behaviour.
Threats have led to charges and extensive security measures: about 40 people were charged with Commonwealth offences targeting federal politicians and senior officials in little more than a year, and Parliament House has spent $150 million on security upgrades over a decade.
The column warns that threats can become real violence, pointing to political attacks and killings in the United States.
The concern is that acceptance of political violence can grow over time, rather than remain empty talk.
An opinion column warns that political threats and violence are becoming more common in Australia.
It says 9 per cent of Australians considered political violence sometimes justified in last year’s McKinnon index, equivalent to around 2 million adults.
Small Business Minister Anne Aly said she received 19 death threats in one week.
The column says federal politicians receive around three threats a day, and 85 per cent of politicians and their staff surveyed had faced threatening or volatile behaviour.
It argues that rising acceptance of political violence can lead to real-world attacks, citing examples from the United States.
- Who
- Australian politicians and their staff are among those facing threats; Small Business Minister Anne Aly reported receiving 19 threats.
- What
- An opinion column warns of rising political threats and violence in Australia.
- When
- The article is dated October 16, 2026; Aly said she received the threats in the past week.
- Where
- Australia, with examples of political violence also cited from the United States.
- Why
- The column links the threats to growing acceptance of political violence as a political tool. It says Aly’s threats followed comments about a tax-payment decision.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The McKinnon index found that 9 per cent of Australians considered political violence sometimes justified.
Anne Aly received 19 death threats, according to the column.
About 40 people were charged with Commonwealth crimes for threatening federal politicians and high office holders.
- Political violence attitudes
- 9 per cent in last year’s McKinnon index
- Estimated number of adults
- Around 2 million
- Threats to Anne Aly
- 19 in the past week
- Threats to federal politicians
- Around three a day, according to federal police
- Survey of politicians and staff
- 85 per cent had dealt with violent, threatening or volatile behaviour
- Parliament House security upgrades
- $150 million over the past decade
1 source
What people are saying
stoned in the square
she has received 19 death threats in the past week