Albanese 'all good' after security threat against prime minister

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is "all good" and has thanked federal police after being evacuated from his official residence in Canberra over a security scare last night.

Albanese posted a picture of his dog, Toto, at the door of the Lodge to social media this morning alongside a short update about the incident.

"Toto on alert but all good," he said.

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"Thanks to AFP for your ongoing work and professionalism and to people who sent kind messages of care and support."

Little is known about the exact nature of last night's incident.

The Australian Federal Police said its officers responded to an "alleged security incident" about 6pm yesterday, and it wasn't until after 9pm that police confirmed the all-clear had been given for the prime minister to return.

"A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located," a spokesperson said.

"There is no current threat to the community or public safety."

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Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said Albanese was in good spirits following the incident.

"It was a really unfortunate security threat against the prime minister, and those working at the Lodge had to be removed for a couple of hours until police searched it and ensured that it was safe for people to return," she told Today.

"I can't recall this happening before but it shows that there are threats against politicians.

"Those threats will taken seriously by the police and we are well supported by them."

MPs from both sides of politics have condemned the incident and called for calm.

"Threats against any parliamentarian are utterly abhorrent," Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said.

"Especially in a country built on expressing our differences through debate."

"The recent escalation of threats against parliamentarians must be called out," Greens leader Larissa Waters said.

"Violence has no place in our democracy."

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Escalation in threats against politicians

It's unclear what was behind the security incident but the number of threats against politicians has been rising over the years.

The AFP received 951 referrals or threats against parliamentarians in the 2024-25 financial year, rising 63 per cent over the past four years.

A 43-year-old man is staring down jail time if convicted for allegedly threatening to kill the prime minister in multiple phone calls to his office.

Another man faced court just last week over alleged threats to kill federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Sydney eastern suburbs politicians including independent federal MP Allegra Spender and NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane were the subject of inflammatory, misogynistic and violent threats after condemning a neo-Nazi rally outside NSW parliament in November.

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In December, a man was charged after several online threats were made to kill federal Communications Minister Anika Wells.

Later that month, a 27-year-old Sydney man was arrested after allegedly threatening in online posts to kidnap Albanese.

Albanese moved into The Lodge as his primary residence when he became prime minister, breaking with the pattern established by John Howard and continued by most of those who followed, who lived in Kirribilli House on Sydney Harbour.

"I'm already at The Lodge. I have moved most of my personal effects from my flat in Canberra there across to The Lodge plus some things down from Sydney," he told The Canberra Times at the time.

"It's the national capital. And that is important. Family considerations are why I'll spend time in Sydney as well."

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