Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for the temperature of political debate in Australia to be “turned down” following a death threat allegedly made against him by a Queensland man.
Norman Dean Lake allegedly made the threat on social media and was arrested at a property in Moreton Bay, north of Brisbane, over the weekend.
He has been charged with using a carriage service to make a threat to kill, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Speaking today at a press conference with Papa New Guinea‘s Prime Minister Marape, Mr Albanese declined to comment on the specifics of the case but reiterated his call for more respectful public debate.
“I have consistently said we need to, wherever possible, turn down the temperature of debate, and to agree and disagree respectfully,” he said.
The Prime Minister urged the media, politicians, and the public to listen to one another and learn to disagree respectfully.
“We need to show respect for each other. That doesn’t mean agreement, but it does mean behaving in a way which is acceptable.”
The alleged death threat comes less than a month after polarising American political commentator Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a university appearance.
While Mr Albanese did not refer to any specific incidents, he noted that public figures overseas have increasingly become targets, warning that Australia must ensure that trend does not take hold here.
According to ASIO’s director-general, the level of threats directed at the Prime Minister has “elevated substantially.”
In July, a Sydney man was also charged with making death threats against Mr Albanese.
The rise in threats has impacted the Prime Minister’s ability to move freely in public — something he said he is determined not to lose.
“We have a vibrant democracy here. No-one is trying to stifle free speech,” he said.
“It’s a great thing about Australians and a great thing about our country, but there are alarms going, and I think we should all be conscious of it.”
Mr Lake is expected to reappear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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