00:02It's a hallmark of the state's democracy. Leaders interacting with the members of the
00:06public who put them there. But an escalation in online threats, underscored by the events
00:14of the last 24 hours, has given politicians across the spectrum cause for worry.
00:19As members of parliament, regardless of whether you're a male or a female, you are becoming
00:24more and more aware of your surroundings when you're holding your street corner meetings.
00:28I had a death threat during the campaign. I chose to ignore it. I do wonder how many
00:34other politicians choose to ignore such threats. The threats need to stop. Violence needs to stop.
00:40Labor Minister Lucy Hood sharing her experience of a crude message graffitied on a CBD wall.
00:45They called me a whore. And now I say that word, and I apologise if you have to beep it
00:50out,
00:50but I do say it because I think we need to be clear about the extreme level that we do
00:57see
00:57in the political discourse.
00:59So far this year, SA Police say they've investigated 18 incidents involving threats or harassment against
01:05MPs, their staff or vandalism of electorate officers. That's up from 11 incidents last year.
01:12In the wake of Monday's attack, police are reviewing protection for state MPs.
01:17They'll also be coming to parliament next week to brief them on their latest threat assessments.
01:21They have advised us that they've seen escalations in their concerns.
01:28I don't want to see parliamentarians operate in an ivory tower. I think it's really important that we
01:33can have healthy debates with people who elect us. A call for calm in an era of polarisation.
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