Brief
Brisbane mayor says council security tightened after threats to councillors
Council staff received de‑escalation training and City Hall security was boosted following threats to elected officials.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner told reporters on October 21 that security at City Hall has been increased after staff and councillors received multiple threats, including one from a person with a gun licence.
What happened
Schrinner said members of his staff were threatened, and that Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham’s office window was shattered two days before the 2024 election, allegedly by ball‑bearing‑filled paint‑gun fire. He added that several councillors have reported being threatened with firearms.
What the reports add
The article notes Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said authorities are confronting a record wave of threats against MPs, driven by personal grievances, online conspiracies, mental‑health vulnerabilities and extremist ideologies. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli declined to comment on possible reforms to outlaw violent speech directed at elected officials when asked by journalists.
What was said
"Hatred and aggression then can turn into violence very easily, as we’ve seen, and that is not a good place for our society to be heading," Schrinner said, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. He also warned against following the United States’ history of political violence. Crisafulli told the Queensland Media Club, "Now is not the time to debate laws about hate speech against politicians," and added he does not want families dragged into politics.
How it came about
The heightened security follows the October 20 car‑ramming attack on federal MP Helen Haines, which prompted a national debate on political violence and was covered by Felo News in a story about a threatening meme posted before the attack.
Key facts
- Security at Brisbane City Hall was increased after staff and councillors received threats. (smh.com.au)
- Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham’s office window was shattered two days before the 2024 election. (smh.com.au)
- AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said a record wave of threats against MPs is underway. (smh.com.au)
- Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said now is not the time to debate hate‑speech laws targeting politicians. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Political violence in Australia: Brisbane councillors face rising threats as Lord Mayor warns against following US path”
