Australian Federal Police investigating electoral-related crimes

Scary threats were made against politicians during the election campaign, with a Victorian MP among those targeted.

More than 20 reports of serious electoral-related crime including security threats to federal politicians and candidates during the election remain under investigation, according to new figures.

The Herald Sun can reveal that more than 10 complaints a week, including a bomb threat in Victoria, were made to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) during the six-week campaign.

Almost half of the 82 complaints sparked criminal investigations, with 22 still ongoing.

One in three reports were about people using a carriage service to threaten, menace, harass or cause offence.

Two investigations were into threats made, while nine referrals were made to the Australian Electoral Commission.

An Australian Federal Police car outside Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: AAP

In two shocking incidents, a brick was thrown through a Melbourne electorate office window with a death threat.

A fake bomb device was also left at a front door.

“The response from the federal police was high-level and appropriate,” a Victorian MP said, adding the incident was “scary”.

“They worked well with the local police, who really did most of the hard work on the ground that was needed.”

The Herald Sun in April revealed the AFP was on alert over allegations of “aggressive” behaviour by United Australia Party candidate Ingram Spencer in the seat of Higgins.

A 52-year-old NSW man was last month charged with threatening to cause harm to a Commonwealth public official and failure to comply with bail conditions.

So far, 17 investigations have been finalised with no criminal charges.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said Australians were rightly proud that their votes decide who governs us, without threats or violence.

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. Picture: AAP

“We are one of the world’s oldest democracies, but we must never take that for granted,” he said.

“I thank the AFP for its work helping to protect our democratic processes.”

In a first, the AFP this year established an incident co-ordination centre with hundreds of investigators, intelligence officers and protective security specialists to manage reports during the campaign.

Taskforce Wilmot was established in March – ahead of the federal election – and operated for nine weeks as part of Operation Phonix, which managed all of the AFP’s election efforts.

An AFP spokesman said: “All 82 matters referred to the Wilmot Taskforce were individually assessed for safety measures and security mitigation strategies in the context of the each Parliamentarian and candidate”.

“Disruption action taken under Taskforce Wilmot included formal warnings for offences such as using a carriage service to menace or harass.”

Originally published as Australian Federal Police investigating electoral-related crimes