Anthony Albanese reveals ‘horrific’ online abuse

The Prime Minister has revealed how significant a toll constant online abuse has on him after one state’s leader unexpectedly stood down.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has detailed the “horrific” abuse he cops online, saying it weighs on him and adds undue pressure.

Mr Albanese’s frank admission came after WA Premier Mark McGowan unexpectedly stood down from the state’s top job on Monday, citing the job’s “relentless pressure”.

Mr McGowan said he no longer wanted to deal with the “conflict and criticism”, conceding he was “just tired” from the “constant fighting”.

In wishing Mr McGowan well, Mr Albanese said the pressures brought about by online “trolls and bots” added more tension to politicians’ roles.

“I have a look at what people say occasionally – usually I try not to look, but it is quite horrific,” he told ABC Adelaide.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says some of the abuse he’s received online has been ‘horrific’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / pool / Jenny Evans

“I know during the pandemic there was a need for people in leadership positions to have security because of issues of personal safety … but the things that people say online sometimes are quite astonishing.”

Mr Albanese offered an example of a tweet he posted last week, paying tribute to Tina Turner on the news of her death.

The tweet, which read, “Sad to hear of the passing Tina Turner – a legend who overcame trauma and domestic violence to provide a soundtrack to our lives – Tina was Simply the Best. Vale”, was hijacked, he said.

Sad to hear of the passing Tina Turner - a legend who overcame trauma and domestic violence to provide a soundtrack to our lives - Tina was Simply the Best. Vale.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 24, 2023

“I would have thought it could have been something that was said out of respect,” Mr Albanese said, citing his affection for the late singer was interwoven with her relationship with his beloved NRL.

“Instead, somehow that got weaved in a range of political issues.

“It’s quite astonishing what people are prepared to say anonymously. Trolls and bots add a lot of pressure.”

The toll of online abuse has been spotlighted in the last month after ABC presenter Stan Grant stood aside from his responsibilities because of the constant vilification and racism he’d experienced.

Last week, in wishing Grant well, Mr Albanese said there was a need to be “really cognisant” in the lead-up to the Voice to parliament referendum “about some of the hurtful comments that have been made”.

“We can have respect for different views without engaging in vilification, and that’s important,” he said.

In this month’s budget, the government committed to raising the funding base of the eSafety Commissioner by $132.1m over four years because of a spike in cyberbullying and other forms on online attacks and abuse.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese reveals ‘horrific’ online abuse