A man has been arrested after he entered the electorate office of Western Australian state MP Hannah Beazley and allegedly threatened staff while armed with nunchucks.
Police responded to reports of a man making a disturbance at the electorate office in the inner-Perth suburb of Victoria Park on Wednesday afternoon at about 1.15pm (local time).
Police said the man allegedly made verbal threats while carrying what was described as “homemade nunchucks”, a weapon used in martial arts. Officers later found a 56-year-old man in the nearby suburb of Bentley. He is now assisting them with their inquiries.
No one was injured during the incident, police confirmed.
Beazley spoke outside of parliament after the incident, saying her staff were understandably shaken. Beazley was not in the electorate office herself at the time of the incident.
“This afternoon, staff within my electorate office were faced with a confronting situation when a member of the public entered the office armed with a weapon,” said Beazley.
“I have spoken to my staff, who are understandably shaken and upset by what took place. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
“Right now, my focus is on the welfare of those staff members.
“Everyone has the right to go about our lives free from the fear of violence, at work, at home and in the community.
“I thank the police officers who responded quickly and soon had a person in custody. Their response to this incident and the support they have provided my staff is greatly appreciated.”
Beazley said the man allegedly demanded to see her, and it also wasn’t the first time she’s had threats made against her.
Beazley is the Labor minister for local government, and the daughter of former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said “no one should have to face threats or feel unsafe simply for doing their job”.
“I am relieved that everyone is safe following this frightening incident,” Cook said.
The incident in Perth comes just days after the shocking alleged attack on federal independent MP Dr Helen Haines. She was struck by a vehicle outside of her electorate office in northern Victoria on Monday.
It is alleged by police that 43-year-old Brendan Nugent deliberately rammed into Haines. She remains in a critical condition in hospital and has had both legs amputated.