Pieface attack on NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles prompts alarm over security for politicians

A 56-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly attacking Natasha Fyles with a cream pancake on Sunday morning.

A 56-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly attacking Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles with a cream pancake on Sunday morning.

The Australian understands the woman was arrested on Sunday evening, with detectives canvassing whether the incident occurred due to her husband’s experience with Covid-19 vaccination side effects and a medical operation.

She has been bailed to appear in a Darwin Local Court on October 10, 2023.

The incident has raised the alarm nationally for police to beef up protection for the country’s politicians.

NT Police Commissioner Michael Murphy is considering ramping up protection for Ms Fyles and her cabinet, following the incident during which a woman allegedly smooshed the pancake into the Chief Minister’s face in Darwin on Sunday morning.

It is believed the woman might previously have spoken at various Covid-19 anti-vaccination events in Darwin.

Ms Fyles is also Health Minister.

In response to the alleged assault in Darwin, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “Australia has a strong and robust democracy, where people are treated with respect”.

“Everyone engaging in our democracy, whether a politician, volunteer, AEC official or members of the public, deserves to feel safe and respected,” he said.

NT Country Liberal senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price offered her support across the political divide, saying she had been subject to numerous threats herself.

Senator Price said the alleged attack on Ms Fyles was “concerning”.

“This speaks volumes about the lack of respect for politicians today; as the target of many threats myself I understand just how concerning this behaviour is,” Senator Price said.

“You can disagree respectfully without resorting to aggressive behaviour.

“I’m glad to hear Ms Fyles is safe and unharmed.”

The motivation for the alleged attack on Ms Fyles was unclear on Sunday.

The NT police have launched an investigation into the incident after footage surfaced of a woman wearing a green dress flinging the cream-loaded pancake into Ms Fyles’ face at 11.30am as she was leaving an event at the Bendigo Bank branch in Nightcliff.

The woman approaches the NT Chief Minister.

The plate is pushed into the face of Natasha Fyles.

A witness told the NT News that Ms Fyles was “very shocked and quite taken aback”.

“(Ms Fyles) pulled out her phone and was trying to film and photograph the incident. There were a few people around supporting her but she didn’t appear to be in any danger.”

In May, Ms Fyles was left in tears after anti-fracking protesters harassed her while she was competing in a running event.

Natasha Fyles at the Nightcliff markets in 2020. Picture: Che Chorley

Commissioner Murphy said NT police were treating the incident seriously and were weighing up whether the threat level warranted additional protection for the Territory’s parliament.

“It’s about appreciating the threat and the risk assessments, and how that presents, and what sort of policing activities we put around people and make sure they’re safe,” Commissioner Murphy said.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw has previously raised the alarm about the increasing rate of threats levelled against politicians, and confirmed that authorities had detected a “heightened degree of activity towards MPs”.

A spokeswoman said the AFP had launched Operation Rugosa through its Specialist Protective Command “to support the safety, security and dignity of all parliamentarians and protection interests throughout the Australian voice to parliament referendum”.

The AFP has undertaken an internal review of the safety of Australian politicians following the murder of British MP Sir David Amess.

The AFP is said to have received more than 500 reports of threats against the safety of MPs last year.

Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh and former Labor MP Kristina Keneally have taken cases of harassers to court.

A man who threatened Ms Keneally over his anti-vax views was sentenced to a good behaviour bond last year. Dr Leigh was granted a personal protection order after he reported threats made against him.