Politicians in Australia's Capital Territory say they have faced a hand-delivered death threat and been spat at, describing a surge in abuse since an attack on independent MP Helen Haines.

Politicians in Canberra's Australian Capital Territory have described a pattern of abuse, intimidation and threats that they say has become part of daily political life. Several lawmakers told ABC News Australia that one representative's office received a death threat delivered by hand, while others said they had been spat at and verbally abused in public. The accounts emerged days after an attack on independent federal MP Helen Haines renewed national attention on the safety of elected officials.

Similar concerns have surfaced separately among members of parliament in Western Australia, who say rising political tensions are making their work increasingly difficult following the Haines attack and an incident targeting the office of local MP Hannah Beazley. Lawmakers across party lines are calling for stronger security protocols at electorate offices, closer coordination with police, and clearer channels for staff to report threats they witness or receive.

Australia is not alone in grappling with a rise in harassment of elected officials; researchers in several democracies have linked the trend to the amplifying effect of social media and increasingly polarised public debate. Federal and territory governments are reviewing protective measures for electorate offices, though officials have not yet announced any formal legislative changes in response to the latest reports.