In Australia, two overlapping approaches are used to identify and manage people who may pose a threat to politicians and other public figures.

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The first involves security intelligence and protective policing, particularly where there are indications of terrorism, ideologically motivated violence or links to known threat networks. ASIO is Australia's lead security intelligence organisation, while the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has a key role in protecting Commonwealth officials and interests. The second involves Fixated Threat Assessment Centres (FTACs), which bring police, mental-health professionals and other relevant agencies together to assess concerning behaviour and intervene where necessary. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive: ideological grievances, personal fixations and mental ill-health can overlap.

The FTAC model was introduced into Australia after I visited the original centre established in London in 2006 and wrote about the need for a similar Australian capability. At the time, it was already clear that many potentially violent individuals were no longer being institutionalised for long periods, as they might have been in earlier decades. Within this group there were persons whose persistent preoccupations with politicians, royalty or other public figures could escalate into aggressive confrontation or violence.

Queensland established Australia's first FTAC in 2013. Modelled on the British prototype, the Queensland Fixated Threat Assessment Centre is a joint initiative of the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Health's Forensic Mental Health Service. It assesses referrals concerning people whose communications or behaviour towards public office holders raise concerns. Depending on the level of risk, interventions may include mental-health treatment, welfare checks, police involvement and coordinated management plans.

The approach subsequently........

© Canberra Times