Australia’s domestic intelligence chief has called for “respect” and “restraint” in political debate following the violent attack on Federal MP Helen Haines, echoing growing warnings from politicians to “lower the temperature” in public discourse.
As counter-terrorism teams continue investigating the “serious incident” outside the Member for Indi’s Wangaratta office, ASIO Director General Mike Burgess has again spoken out on his concerns about the use of violent rhetoric across society.
“While political differences, debates and peaceful protests are essential parts of a healthy democracy, ASIO has seen direct correlations between inflamed language, inflamed tensions and acts of violence,” the intelligence chief said in a statement.
“I have repeatedly put on the record my concern about the use of violent rhetoric in public discourse. Words matter,” Mr Burgess cautioned.
“I genuinely believe the temperature of our security environment would be several degrees lower if we recommitted to conversing with civility, debating with respect and disagreeing with restraint.
“We must take these threats seriously, protect those being targeted and defend Australians’ right to share their points of view in a peaceful way.”
The ASIO Director General said that official National Terrorism Threat Level remained at PROBABLE, but warned in Australia “the temperature and trajectory of the security environment are concerning”.
“Elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence.”
When ASIO raised the National Terrorism Threat Level two years ago, Mr Burgess also warned that politically motivated violence had joined espionage and foreign interference as Australia’s principal security concerns.
“Politically motivated violence encompasses terrorism but is broader than that. It covers any violent act or violent threat intended or likely to achieve a political objective,” the ASIO boss declared in August 2024.
“This includes violent protest, riot or an attack on a politician or our democratic institutions…”
Following Monday’s horrific attack, the Prime Minister again called on politicians, the media and the public to lower the temperature of political discourse, saying disagreements must not come at the expense of respect.
“We start by having respectful debate. And all of us are responsible for that, whether we’re politicians, whether we’re the media, whether we’re citizens, in just being able to discuss things in a civil way,” Mr Albanese said.
“We can have disagreements in a democracy, but you can have disagreements without questioning people’s motives or their patriotism.
“I think that we all love this country, Australia, and we have a great democracy and we have a great deal of pride as well that, unlike in some parts of the world, the truth is that members and senators can get about their community, can go to big events without any security and do so.
“I find that even as Prime Minister going to the shops and getting food for the dog or what have you, supplies, enables you to just talk with people, whether it’s there or at the footy or out and about at community events.
“It’s really important that we don’t lose that. That’s a cherished part of our democracy. It’s the way in which people can engage as citizens with their representatives.”