Federal election security concerns have escalated following an incident in which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was confronted by alt-right protesters inside the lobby of a Melbourne hotel — a location intended to be kept confidential for safety reasons.
Footage circulating on social media shows two men aggressively approaching the Prime Minister as he conversed with a staff member. The pair, affiliated with far-right groups including Melbourne Freedom Rally and Tactical Force Combatives, demanded answers about housing affordability before being swiftly removed by security personnel.
The episode has raised questions about the efficacy of current protection protocols, particularly as incidents of political event infiltration rise sharply during the ongoing campaign.
Prime Minister Albanese, while acknowledging the concerns, expressed confidence in federal police and declined to comment further on the specifics of his security arrangements.
“I trust the AFP to do their job,” he said.
“We must not give undue attention to those seeking disruption for its own sake.”
This is not an isolated incident. In recent weeks, at least 10 events involving both Labor and Coalition figures have been disrupted. From breweries and restaurants to hospitals and media appearances, activists have managed to breach security using covert methods.
In one early case, two climate activists disguised themselves as members of Albanese’s team to infiltrate a closed-door event at Maitland Hospital in NSW. Just a day later, protesters donning high-visibility vests posed as journalists to disrupt a press event by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in Perth.
The persistence of such breaches — including one by protester Alexa Stuart at a Sydney Headspace centre — has highlighted a new wave of “guerilla tactics” adopted by activist groups aiming to bypass traditional security arrangements.
‘Bird-Dogging’ and Infiltration Tactics Raise Alarm: According to Dr Josh Roose, political sociologist at Deakin University, activists are increasingly employing “bird-dogging” — a tactic where campaign events are hijacked to pressure politicians into answering specific questions. He warns that while protest is a democratic right, the rising sophistication of these tactics introduces potential risks.
“Infiltration, disguise, and false accreditation are now being used to penetrate events that are tightly vetted and meant to be secure,” Dr Roose said.
“The danger lies in one individual with malicious intent slipping through the net.”
Dr Roose added that Australian activists appear to be drawing from protest strategies seen in the United States, reflecting a broader internationalisation of political dissent.
The climate-focused group The Rising Tide, which has claimed responsibility for multiple disruptions, maintains that its actions are peaceful and necessary.
“We’re sick of asking nicely and being ignored,” organiser Alexa Stuart told the media.
“We use publicly available information — that’s it. These are peaceful disruptions designed to force discussion on climate and energy policies.”
When pressed on how the group accesses private event details, Stuart declined to comment, adding only that their goal was to redirect media attention to issues, not methods.
Escalating Extremism and Neo-Nazi Threats: Beyond climate activists, there are growing fears of far-right radicalism seeping into the political landscape. Just days ago, more than 20 masked neo-Nazi demonstrators gathered outside Senator James Paterson’s office in Victoria, chanting racist slogans and displaying fascist imagery.
Paterson condemned the stunt, calling the protesters “cosplaying losers” and reaffirming his commitment to combating extremism.
“I certainly won’t be lectured on patriotism by people who worship failed foreign regimes,” he said.
“These displays only strengthen my resolve to protect Australians from radical ideologies.”
Separately, The Australia Today reported that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was the intended target of a 16-year-old who allegedly sought bomb-making materials in 2024. Prime Minister Albanese responded by revealing he too had recently been the subject of a “pretty serious incident” that remains under legal review.
In light of recent events, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has launched Operation AUSTRALIS25, a dedicated taskforce to monitor and respond to threats targeting political figures during the federal election.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw has warned of an increase in violent threats against politicians, including death threats and sexual violence. Security advice has since been upgraded, with greater online surveillance and physical protection measures around political leaders.
“Security is often most effective when it’s invisible,” Dr Roose said.
“But the level of risk we’re now seeing will require significant resource escalation from both state and federal agencies.”
With the May 3 election drawing closer, Australia’s political landscape remains tense. As protests evolve and security challenges mount, leaders from both major parties are navigating an increasingly volatile campaign trail.
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