State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has spent 24 years representing the region, and has witnessed the change in tone of political discourse after the rise of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Up until COVID, I felt safe,” Ms Lovell said.
“Until social media took off, MPs felt safe.”
Online abuse and harassment of politicians, especially women, has come into the spotlight following the alleged deliberate vehicle attack on Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines, which Ms Lovell described as unsettling and upsetting.
Dr Haines’ electorate sits within the area that Ms Lovell represents at a state level.
Ms Lovell recalled having her name in the phone book many years ago, and not being concerned about someone finding her address.
She said that most abusive comments online were vague and unlikely to be a real threat, but that they were still upsetting, especially for staff at electorate offices.
“Social media is a place where people hide behind a keyboard and they can say anything,” Ms Lovell said.
“They feel they can just say anything about people.
“There’s really no recourse because people don’t know who is behind that account.”
She acknowledged that there was real frustration within the community against the government, particularly around issues such as roads and following COVID restrictions.
“It’s really nasty stuff,” Ms Lovell said.
“They blame every politician, whether you’re a government member or not.
“If you have a problem with an MP, your place to have a say is at the ballot box.”
She also expressed her hope that the alleged attack on Dr Haines was a one-off event and would not change the way that Australians interacted with their representatives.
“Australia has always had unfettered access to politicians, it’s something that’s a bit unique here,” she said.
She has spoken to politicians from other countries who were amazed to learn that many Australian politicians could attend events without bodyguards.
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