Second female Australian lawmaker threatened after car attack

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

A man has been charged with threatening an Australian state minister with nunchucks days after a federal legislator was critically injured in an alleged car attack.

A 56-year-old man entered Western Australian state government minister Hannah Beazley's electorate office in suburban Perth on Wednesday, brandishing nunchucks and making verbal threats to staff. Beazley was not in the office at the time. The man was detained and charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear and with threatening to perform an unlawful act. He spent the night in police custody and appeared in a Perth court on Thursday.

The incident came days after federal legislator Helen Haines was critically injured on Monday in Victoria when a man repeatedly hit her with a car. Haines, a 65-year-old independent lawmaker, remained in critical condition in a Melbourne hospital where surgeons amputated both her legs. The driver, Brendan Nugent, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with intentionally causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury and causing harm to a federal official. He did not enter pleas and remains in custody. Police are still searching for a motive and said there was no allegation the two incidents were connected.

The attacks have raised concerns about the safety of female politicians in Australia, who account for a growing proportion of lawmakers. The incidents highlight worries that traditional accessibility between Australian politicians and the public may be under threat.

How it is being reported

• A second female lawmaker in Australia is threatened days after alleged car attackA man has been charged with threatening an Australian lawmaker’s staff with nunchucks days after another legislator was critically injured when a man repeatedly hit her with a car.News4Jax · 22 Oct, 07:24
• A second female lawmaker in Australia is threatened days after alleged car attackA man has been charged with threatening an Australian lawmaker’s staff with nunchucks days after another legislator was critically injured when a man repeatedly hit her with a car.Clickorlando · 22 Oct, 07:24

In this story: Hannah Beazley · Helen Haines · Brendan Nugent · Australia · Western Australia · Perth · Victoria · Melbourne

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem