By Ashley Nickel For Daily Mail Australia
Former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has issued a stark warning, stating that it’s only a matter of time before a top Australian politician falls victim to an assassination attempt.
Her concerns were echoed by former secretary of the Department of Home Affairs Mike Pezzullo, who emphasized the urgent need for a review of Australia’s protective security arrangements, which have not been updated in 45 years.
Ms. Andrews pointed to recent international incidents, such as the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump and the assassination of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, as evidence of the volatile nature of modern politics.
In an interview with The Australian, Ms. Andrews expressed her worries about the level of security for parliamentarians, emphasizing the need for adequate protection from the Australian Federal Police due to the high number of threats they receive regularly.
Calling for constant review and improvement of protective security measures, Ms. Andrews described the current state of security for Australia’s top ministers as only ‘adequate.’
Mr. Pezzullo also stressed the importance of a comprehensive review into protective security arrangements, highlighting the need to assess the current threat of political violence and assassination in a modern context.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to receive a report on improving Australia’s national security, urging a forward-looking approach to protective security similar to that used in defense and intelligence.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson emphasized the need for the AFP to be adequately resourced and empowered to protect Australia’s institutions effectively.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil recently released the ‘Strengthening Australian Democracy’ report, which identified declining public trust, foreign interference, and low social cohesion as significant threats to Australia’s democracy.
As the federal election approaches, Mr. Albanese reflected on the importance of cherishing democracy and seeking unity and respectful disagreement in political discourse.