Man charged after allegedly threatening staff with nunchucks at Western Australian minister's office
A man armed with nunchucks allegedly threatened staff at the electorate office of Western Australia's local government minister, Hannah Beazley, in Perth, and was arrested. It came days after federal MP Helen Haines was seriously injured in an alleged attack in Victoria.
Police in Perth, Western Australia, arrested a 56-year-old man on Wednesday afternoon after he allegedly threatened staff and carried nunchucks at the electorate office of the state's local government minister, Hannah Beazley. The incident, at her Victoria Park office, has renewed attention on the safety of politicians and their staff in Australia, coming only days after an alleged attack on federal MP Helen Haines.
What happened in Perth
Office staff called police after the man caused a disturbance. Police said they had received reports of verbal threats and of an "improvised martial arts weapon" described as nunchucks. The man was arrested nearby. On Thursday he was charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear, making unlawful threats and cannabis possession. No one was injured. Bail was refused, and he was due to appear in Perth magistrates court on Thursday.
Beazley was not in the office at the time. She said two staff members were present and were "rattled". According to her, the man allegedly tried to lean through the security screen, but staff were a safe distance away. She said he appeared to want access to her, though his motivations were unknown, and added that it was not the first time threats had been made against her.
The attack on Helen Haines
On Monday, independent federal MP Helen Haines was allegedly attacked outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. She was hospitalised with severe injuries and has lost both her legs. A community vigil was held in Wodonga on Wednesday evening. Cathy McGowan, Haines's predecessor as the member for Indi, said the community was grappling with mixed emotions. Haines's chief of staff, Kaz Rourke, said the team was devastated and planned to reopen the office later next week.
Reaction
Prime minister Anthony Albanese told Perth radio such incidents were far too prevalent and that disagreements should be settled at the ballot box. Governor general Sam Mostyn, speaking generally, described a unique and pernicious form of attack faced by women in prominent positions, including abusive online comments.
