Anger about Victoria’s long COVID-19 lockdowns was a major turning point for political debate in the country, fuelling a surge in threatening and undemocratic social media activity that raised safety concerns for public figures that still exists today, the Home Affairs Minister has warned.

Clare O’Neil told an event at Old Parliament House on Monday night she was concerned that politicians might soon not be able to publicise their locations due to rising safety threats, comparing deep-seated animosity towards political leaders here to the United States.