Victorian MPs say their safety under threat from pro-Palestine protesters

Victorian MPs are demanding a crackdown on security amid mounting fears over abuse and intimidation from pro-Palestine protesters, who have set up an almost permanent presence on the steps of parliament.

Victorian MPs are demanding a crackdown on security amid mounting fears their personal safety is under threat from pro-Palestinian protesters.

The Herald Sun can reveal multiple MPs, from both the government and opposition, have lodged formal complaints in recent weeks citing personal safety concerns and intimidation from protesters who have set up an almost permanent presence on the steps of parliament.

They have included protest leader Mohammad Sharab who is on bail for an alleged kidnapping and is a regular around the precinct.

MPs have complained of being accosted while entering or leaving parliament, being followed into secure areas, and of witnessing parliamentary staff being abused and berated by angry protesters.

Protest leader Mohammad Sharab is on bail for an alleged kidnapping and is a regular around the precinct.

Multiple people have also been caught unaccompanied inside restricted areas.

One government MP even asked for a parliamentary seating plan to be altered so they didn’t have their backs to the public gallery where multiple protests have now taken place, with one incident leaving a parliamentary attendant injured.

Protest activity has forced the shutdown of parliament three times in six months, and the ongoing closure of the public gallery.

New data shows there have been 363 security incidents logged with the parliament this financial year, an increase on the previous year’s 353.

While incidents within the parliamentary precinct have decreased, to 66, attacks on electorate offices has increased to 297.

Palestine protesters on the steps of Parliament House. Picture: David Caird

Concerned MPs say security needs to be boosted at Parliament House. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

It comes amid revelations a safety audit of the precinct has not been undertaken in more than a decade.

However a security infrastructure assessment has resulted in significant upgrades to aspects of the facade of Parliament House.

But concerned MPs say it isn’t enough.

“Hate has taken over the Victorian parliament precinct. I have written to the Speaker and the President of the Legislative Council and called on them to take action, because this simply cannot continue,” Caulfield MP David Southwick said.

“It is not just MPs and staff feeling unsafe, it is the broader Victorian community too. Jewish schools have been forced to cancel excursions, while visitors to parliament have been verbally abused and attacked, simply for being Jewish.

“The Victorian parliament should belong to every Victorian, not just an angry and violent few.”

Caulfield MP David Southwick says 'hate has taken over the Victorian parliament precinct’. Picture: David Crosling

Department of Parliamentary Services secretary, Trish Burrows, told a parliamentary inquiry this month workplace safety was “non-negotiable”.

“For all workplace participants in parliament it should be a secure and safe workplace to be in,” she said.

“Over the last several years there have been significant increases and improvements of security around the precinct.”

Ms Burrows said CCTV cameras had been installed in the upper galleries of both chambers, while PSOs sat among the public during questions time and special events.

And she said a review of parliament’s entry points and screening systems was underway.

“The Presiding Officers have been really clear on their absolute requirement that this be a safe workplace and a secure workplace for all workplace participants,” she said.

Originally published as Victorian MPs say their safety under threat from pro-Palestine protesters