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1h agoUTI treatment, contraception to be available through pharmacies
1h agoMPs to ‘try to do justice’ to wounded fellow MP Helen Haines
1h agoHanson says One Nation cartoons ‘not going anywhere’ despite criticism
Steggall calls for civility and respect
Independent MP Zali Steggall has called for more respect in times of disagreement, telling ABC that leadership and words matter.
We absolutely need to make sure there is more civility and respect.
Steggall says this issue can be seen on social media.
Social media is a platform where they can send abuse and threats through direct messages, call my electorate office, or send pretty revolting stuff It’s just quite shocking how disconnected from manners and reality sometimes people get when they launch into their diatribes and make threats.
Social media is a platform where they can send abuse and threats through direct messages, call my electorate office, or send pretty revolting stuff
It’s just quite shocking how disconnected from manners and reality sometimes people get when they launch into their diatribes and make threats.
Steggall says there was an incident that was reported to the AFP and resulted in someone outside her electorate being charged.
Politicians may feel less safe in home electorates than parliament, Tehan says
Following the alleged attack on Helen Haines, security measures have reportedly increased around Parliament House.
But Liberal MP Dan Tehan says the security in parliament is “pretty good”.
There’s been a lot of money and a lot of effort and a lot of thought going into security here at Parliament House. I think the vulnerability is actually when we’re out doing our job in the community, and that’s probably where we need to put the focus.
There’s been a lot of money and a lot of effort and a lot of thought going into security here at Parliament House.
I think the vulnerability is actually when we’re out doing our job in the community, and that’s probably where we need to put the focus.
Anonymous online voices allow people to ‘do and say anything’, Tehan says
Liberal MP Dan Tehan has raised concerns about the impact of anonymous online accounts on inflammatory political discourse.
He told ABC Radio National:
The problem we’ve got at the moment is the anonymous voices online. I’m a big believer in freedom of speech and always have been, but I’ve always strongly believed that you have to put your name to your words. That’s the key.
The problem we’ve got at the moment is the anonymous voices online.
I’m a big believer in freedom of speech and always have been, but I’ve always strongly believed that you have to put your name to your words. That’s the key.
In the community, those who disagree tend to do so respectfully, he said.
What you tend to see online is the people who are there, anonymously, will just do and say anything. Now, whether that then heightens it, I don’t know, but … it’s always the question of balance.
What you tend to see online is the people who are there, anonymously, will just do and say anything.
Now, whether that then heightens it, I don’t know, but … it’s always the question of balance.
Auditor-general examining if detention in Victorian police cells breaches human rights
The Victorian auditor general is investigating the detention of people in police cells, after Guardian Australia revealed the practice routinely led to the force breaching its own guidelines.
The Victorian auditor general’s office (Vago) confirmed it was set to examine whether Victoria police and the department of justice “manage prison and police cell capacity to support human rights and the efficient functioning of the justice system”.
Guardian Australia reported in November last year that the process of “decanting” was resulting in people being moved hundreds of kilometres across Victoria as the government grappled with tougher bail laws and a shortage of prison beds and corrections workers.
This was also leading to people spending more than the 14-day target in police cells, and in some cases meant they were serving their entire sentences there.
In announcing the audit earlier this month, Vago said:
Police cells are designed to hold people for short periods, such as after arrest and for bail hearings. However, in 2025 there were media reports of police holding prisoners in police cells beyond the recommended 14-day limit. When cells at one station are full, police may transport individuals to other stations. In some reported cases, police have transported individuals hundreds of kilometres away. This can mean that prisoners miss their court appearances and do not have easy access to their lawyers and health services. This undermines both prisoners’ human rights and the proper functioning of the justice system.
Police cells are designed to hold people for short periods, such as after arrest and for bail hearings. However, in 2025 there were media reports of police holding prisoners in police cells beyond the recommended 14-day limit.
When cells at one station are full, police may transport individuals to other stations. In some reported cases, police have transported individuals hundreds of kilometres away.
This can mean that prisoners miss their court appearances and do not have easy access to their lawyers and health services. This undermines both prisoners’ human rights and the proper functioning of the justice system.
Vago noted that Victoria’s recent bail reforms were also likely to increase pressure on prison beds and staff capacity.
It said in a statement to Guardian Australia that the audit was under way and was expected to be tabled early next year.
