Safety threats to politicians spark 39 Australian federal police investigations related to election

Federal police conducted 39 investigations under a special taskforce related to the federal election, with numerous politicians and political candidates the target of threats, menacing phone calls and social media harassment.

Police laid one set of charges over threats to the former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, while police are still making inquiries around a further 22 matters that are ongoing.

The taskforce came after increasing concern over the safety and security of politicians after high-profile incidences of violence in Europe and the United States.

As of Thursday, Operation Wilmot had assessed 82 complaints and referrals through the election period, with 39 formally investigated.

Of those, 24 related to the offence of Use Carriage Service to Threaten, Menace, Harass or Cause Offence; three related to Use Postal Service to Menace, Harass or Cause Offence; two related to Make a Threat; and one of Taking or Concealing Postal Item.

Nine matters were referred by the AEC.

The AFP would not say which politicians had been the subject of threats or investigations.