At Hannah Beazley electorate office, man arrested for allegedly making threats while armed with nunchucks

Police respond to office disturbance

Electoral staff at Beazley’s Victoria Park office contacted police on Wednesday afternoon after a man caused a disturbance. Police arrested the 56-year-old nearby and took him into custody.

The charges laid Thursday include making unlawful threats, cannabis possession and being armed in a way that may cause fear. No one was injured, and the man was refused bail before his scheduled appearance at Perth magistrates court.

Beazley speaks about the incident

Beazley said the man had allegedly behaved in a threatening way and appeared to want access to her. She said his reasons were not known. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Beazley as a friend, noting his friendship with her father, former Labor defence minister Kim Beazley.

Wider concern over violence

The incident occurred days after Helen Haines was allegedly attacked with a 4WD outside her Victorian office. Haines had lost both legs, and a community vigil was held for her in Wodonga on Wednesday evening.

Mostyn told ABC TV that women in public roles faced a distinct and often vicious form of attack. McGowan said Haines’s staff had been crying together, and spoke of violence in communities and online.