Federal police bodyguards assigned to record number of politicians this election campaign

FEDERAL Police bodyguards have been assigned to a record number of politicians this election campaign in response to growing threats. Even Malcolm Turnbull’s menu is classified information.

FEDERAL Police bodyguards have been assigned to a record number of politicians this election campaign in response to growing threats.

It is understood about 14 MPs and family members are being shadowed by armed AFP officers due to threats from both homegrown terrorists and political activists.

And in a sign of how seriously the task is being treated, even the PM’s menu is now classified.

A routine request to see the menu for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) and his wife Lucy when they travel on VIP air force jets has been rejected — due to national security concerns.

The increased vigilance comes as former prime minister Tony Abbott was told earlier this year that his security detail would be scaled back after the election.

Mr Abbott increased the security budget for the AFP in 2014.

Asked if the AFP had significantly bolstered security for federal MPs and family members, a spokesman said: “As per ministerial direction from the Justice Minister on May 12, 2014, the AFP is to ensure that specific individuals, establishments and events identified by the Australian Government as being at risk are protected. In 2014, per a Government initiative, the AFP was tasked to increase close personal protection to Australian high office holders based on threat and risk.

“The type of protection mitigations are decided following an assessment of threat and risk and ministerial direction. The AFP does not comment on who is receiving AFP protection services.”

When asked if there were more MPs receiving security details than in the 2013 election, The Courier-Mail was told: “As a result of an acknowledged elevation of threat, the AFP received funding in 2014 to increase close personal protection to Australian high office holders.

“This funding increased the AFP’s capability to deploy its protection resources in a targeted and flexible way on Australian high office holders.

“Surges in operational activity during an election campaign are well planned for and do not disrupt other organisational priorities.”

Numan Haider, 18, was shot in 2014 by the AFP after he tried to stab police officers. ASIO had feared the teen may have been working on a plan to target Mr Abbott.

The radicalised Melbourne teen searched the internet for “firecrackers wrapped with metal sheet”, “Tony Abbott next visit to Victoria” and “Holsworthy military base”.

Several other ministers have faced death threats for their stance on gay marriage.

Details of Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull’s dining habits are off the menu because of security concerns.

Meanwhile, Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull’s dining habits on RAAF planes will remain classified over fears revelations of a food allergy could become a national security threat.

A third party — believed to be Mrs Turnbull — has objected to the Defence Department releasing the information under Freedom of Information laws.

As the Prime Minister — and at some stage his wife — fly around the country during the next six weeks on a Boeing 737 Business Jet operated by the RAAF, Mr Turnbull will be offered main meals, refreshments and drinks.

The 34 Squadron Catering Profile has a list of what Mr Turnbull prefers.

An FOI asking for information about the personal tastes of the PM have been knocked back with “objections raised ... in which the third parties objected to the release of their personal information.

“A document is exempt if its disclosure would, or could reasonably be expected to, make a person a ­potential target of violence by another individual or group.”

The preferences and dislikes of former leaders reveal their diets and demands. Tony Abbott liked a hot meal for dinner, but caterers were specifically told he was not to be given a hot meal for lunch.

For breakfast, “No baked beans” and RAAF staff were told he “dislikes yoghurt” and to remove from trays. Kevin Rudd was more pedantic. No offal or quiche were two requests.