Threats and online abuse against Victorian MP’s baby and politicians’ families prompt security upgrade
Threats against a Victorian MP’s newborn baby and a swath of other politicians’ families have prompted increased security for lawmakers as the state continues to grapple with its ongoing lockdown.
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Threats made against a Victorian MP’s newborn baby and politicians’ families have prompted increased security as the state continues to grapple with lockdown.
Members from all sides of Victorian politics have reported a worrying rise in serious and “credible” threats to their safety, as well as online abuse, in recent weeks, which has prompted Victoria Police to issue a warning that perpetrators could face up to three years in jail if caught.
It is understood the Victorian parliament has contacted members in recent weeks to recommend added security measures, with Premier Daniel Andrews among those to have received threats.
Greens MP and new mum Samantha Ratnam has experienced the worst abuse in recent days after returning from maternity leave to vote on a controversial bill in the Victorian parliament.
A tsunami of online trolls have threatened her with rape, and violence against her child.
“The thousands of violent and abusive messages I’ve received over the past few days have been nothing short of horrific,” she said.
“No mother deserves messages telling her that her baby should never have been born, no woman deserves messages encouraging her to be sexually assaulted or raped, and no worker deserves messages wishing them death for trying to do their job.”
Reason Party Leader Fiona Patten said she has been forced to increase security at work and home after receiving at least 50 threats deemed serious enough for parliament security and Victoria Police to be notified after public discussion kicked off about the state government’s bill to extend Victoria’s state of emergency.
Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick has also reported matters to police.
He said people could criticise politicians, but personal threats to safety and targeted abuse were inappropriate.
“Most people would look at the keyboard warriors and understand they have no real intention of carrying out what they say,” he said.
“It’s not them I am worried about. It’s the people that are incited by them and that act, that are the concern.
“Especially when it comes to explicit information that’s of a very personal nature about your family and where you live.”
Government MPs have also been copping a barrage of abuse and threats with members in marginal seats copping it the worst.
At least two MPs said security concerns had increased, with parliament contacting members and telling them to be on the look out for any potential harm.
“It is amazing how vile people are,” a government source said. “And these are not people you’d consider nut jobs. You click through to their profile and they are mums and dads that are saying these things.”
Mr Andrews, has previously addressed the increasing abuse of MPs urging Victorians to not take their frustrations out by using menacing remarks.
“There is no place for it,” he said. “Ultimately they (politicians) are doing their job and they have to make difficult decisions.”
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