The Brisbane office of Lilley MP Anika Wells has been closed following a security incident.
Police were called about 10.20am on Wednesday after a woman allegedly behaved in a threatening manner towards staff at the office of Wells, the federal minister for communications and minister for sport.
A 47-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on Sandgate Road in Nundah, in the city’s north, and has since been charged with one count of commit public nuisance.
She is scheduled to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 26.
“We made the decision to close the office temporarily while security improvements are made,” Wells said in a statement.
“Our staff deserve to feel safe at work and this kind of behaviour is always unacceptable.
“We will reopen as soon as possible and continue to be accessible to the community and contactable while this temporary closure is in place.”
Wells’ staff is still taking calls from the public as usual.
Also on Wednesday, a man allegedly made threats and swung nunchukkas outside the electorate office of state MP Hannah Beazley.
A 56-year-old Bentley man has since been charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear, making a threat, and possessing cannabis.
Both incidents occurred days after Indi MP Helen Haines was attacked outside her electoral office in Wangaratta.
Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after losing both her legs in what authorities believe was an opportunistic attack.
Her husband, Phil Haines, told media on Thursday she was a “fighter” and the family hoped she would recover.
The incident has had a profound impact on the political climate across the country, with bolstered police protection and security for homes and offices under consideration by the federal Labor government.
Outgoing Queensland Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm said on Friday the incident factored into her decision to resign from cabinet.
“The devastating incident involving Helen Haines has reinforced the importance of taking concerns about personal health, safety and well-being of people in public life very seriously,” she said.
“Public scrutiny and accountability are essential to democracy and to our institutions. Harassment, threats, bullying and personal vilification are not – and, for the past year, this has been my experience.”
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