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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence in Canberra today due to a security incident.
The Australian Federal Police reported that their officers responded to a reported “alleged security incident” around 6 p.m.
Following a comprehensive search of the premises, a spokesperson confirmed that no suspicious items were found.
“There is no current threat to the community or public safety,” the spokesperson assured the public.
While the details of the security incident remain unclear, it’s noteworthy that threats against politicians have been on the rise in recent years.
The AFP received 951 referrals or threats against parliamentarians in the 2024-25 financial year, rising 63 per cent over the past four years.
Sydney eastern suburbs politicians including independent federal MP Allegra Spender and NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane were the subject of inflammatory, misogynistic and violent threats after condemning a neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament in November.
In December, a man was charged after several online threats were made to kill federal Communications Minister Anika Wells.
Later that month, a 27-year-old Sydney man was arrested after allegedly threatening in online posts to kidnap Albanese.
Albanese moved into The Lodge as his primary residence when he became prime minister, breaking with the pattern established by John Howard and continued by most of those who followed, who lived in Kirribilli House on Sydney Harbour.
“I’m already at The Lodge. I have moved most of my personal effects from my flat in Canberra there across to The Lodge plus some things down from Sydney,” he told The Canberra Times at the time.
“It’s the national capital. And that is important. Family considerations are why I’ll spend time in Sydney as well.”