Political intimidation threatens safety of elected leaders, warns former South Australian deputy premier

An alleged attack on independent member for Indi Dr Helen Haines has forced Australia to confront the rise of political violence and intimidation. Former South Australian deputy premier Dr Susan Close writes that while Australians expect politicians to face scrutiny, public officials should not have to risk their safety to do their jobs.

McKinnon Index Findings

The 2026 McKinnon Index reveals growing concerns about the state of Australian democracy. More than one in four young Australian men aged 18 to 24 now believe violence can sometimes be justified for a cause. Nearly three-quarters of Australians feel the country has grown more divided, and only 35.5 per cent think political debate is healthy and respectful. Confidence in freely expressing political opinions has also dropped by almost 10 percentage points in a year.

Democracy And Leadership

Despite these divisions, over three-quarters of Australians still prefer democracy over any other system, and more than 80 per cent want to protect it. Dr Close argues that politics needs better professional support, comparing it to high-stakes fields like running a major company. Programs run by the McKinnon Institute bring politicians from different sides together to build skills and foster mutual respect. Meanwhile, the Next Horizon program works to encourage talented people who might otherwise hesitate to enter public life.

Context

Political leadership programs aim to bridge divides by helping elected officials work together across party lines. Organizations like the McKinnon Institute focus on strengthening governance and supporting people who serve in public office.