The recent parliamentary inquiry into the May 3, 2025 election in Australia has revealed a concerning rise in threats against political candidates. According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), incidents of intimidation have surged by almost 20 percent compared to previous elections, despite the overall peaceful nature of the election and high voter turnout.
During the inquiry, Acting AFP Deputy Commissioner Nigel Ryan reported a significant increase in threats, noting a 17 percent rise in incidents involving parliamentarians and candidates. Of these threats, 70 percent were categorized as personal threats or attacks made via social media. The AFP investigated 51 matters related to these threats, resulting in four charges being filed. A total of 600 officers were deployed to ensure the safety of candidates, providing both close protection and covert operations.
Concerns Over Political Extremism
The inquiry has also highlighted the potential influence of extremist groups, particularly the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network (NSN), which appears to be seeking greater political legitimacy. Ryan stated that the NSN has been active in distributing flyers that reflect political ambitions. This warning comes as the inquiry evaluates various electoral issues, including the potential increase in the number of members of parliament and the impact of artificial intelligence on campaigning.
Despite the threats, the election was notably peaceful, with about 90 percent voter turnout, slightly higher than in the previous election, according to the Australian Electoral Commission. Nonetheless, Kath Gleeson, the Deputy Electoral Commissioner, acknowledged that some electorates experienced heightened tensions, particularly in metropolitan areas like Melbourne and Sydney.
Incidents of Intimidation at Polling Booths
Several submissions to the inquiry have drawn attention to specific incidents of intimidation at polling booths. The Jerrabomberra Residents Association reported that volunteers associated with the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church directed aggressive behavior towards representatives of other political parties. These volunteers were accused of intimidating voters and coercing them to support particular candidates.
In a similar vein, a Labor Party branch from Narooma, located in the marginal Eden-Monaro electorate, claimed that Brethren volunteers obstructed engagement with voters. Their actions reportedly included clustering around older voters and attempting to remove campaign materials from rival candidates. Gleeson suggested that there may be a need for a formal code of conduct governing the behavior of volunteers at polling locations.
The Brethren have previously denied coordinating a campaign push, stating that individual church members have the right to engage in political activities as they see fit.
The inquiry, which is a standard procedure following every election, has received numerous public submissions expressing concerns about the safety and conduct of candidates during the electoral process. Its findings and recommendations will inform regulations for the next election, scheduled for May 2028.
