Live: Nine politicians get electorate office security upgrades after Haines attack

Nine parliamentarians will receive security upgrades to their electoral offices after raising concerns in the wake of the alleged attack on Helen Haines last week. Follow all the updates in our live blog. Tue 27 Oct 2026 at 7:08amTue 27 Oct 2026 at 7:08amNew election funding system ready to go for 2027The new election funding regime previously had its start date delayed because the Australian Electoral Commission said getting it up and running was a complicated task.And little wonder: it's a whole new system, with donations to be disclosed in close to real time, and with caps now to apply to candidates, parties and donors.But in what AEC commissioner Jeff Pope says is a "near miracle", the complicated technical system to make all of that work is now ready to roll from its mooted start date of January 1, 2027.The next step will be to work with political parties and candidates to make sure they understand how to use the new system. Liberal senator James McGrath, a keen follower of electoral matters, sounds doubtful that it will all be so seamless. But in theory at least, it should be full steam ahead.Tue 27 Oct 2026 at 7:01amTue 27 Oct 2026 at 7:01amNine politicians to get electorate office security upgrades after Haines attackThe AFP held a security briefing for politicians just two days after the attack on independent MP Helen Haines, and it seems tangible outcomes are already on foot.Nine electorate offices are now having security concerns actioned after they were raised last week, according to the Department of Finance.In a late-night Senate estimates hearing, Finance secretary Matt Yannopoulos explains how the system works.The AFP handle threat assessments and security details, Home Affairs does home security for those eligible, and Finance handles offices and transport. All three co-ordinate and share information."Where there's an ask for something to be upgraded, we go about that as quickly as possible, and indeed from the discussions that occurred last week there are nine different offices that are raised and we are dealing with those," Yannopoulos tells the committee.Tue 27 Oct 2026 at 6:59amTue 27 Oct 2026 at 6:59amGood morning 👋Hello friends. Welcome to our politics live blog. I'm Courtney Gould from the ABC's Parliament House team, here to guide you through the day.Senate estimates is in full swing yet again today, with bureaucrats and officials making their way up to Parliament House in Canberra for another day of questioning.Last night we heard nine parliamentarians will receive security upgrades to their electoral offices after they raised concerns in the wake of the alleged attack on Helen Haines last week.Meanwhile, the lower house will return to its scheduled businesses after yesterday's pause to share messages of support for the independent MP.I've got lots to catch you up on so let's get blogging!