Former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan worried MP would be killed

Ben Carroll will meet with electoral officials to discuss security arrangements for the campaign. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

More than a dozen Victorian politicians have told the ABC they have reported threats directed at MPs, their families and campaign volunteers. 

Premier Ben Carroll is expected to meet with electoral authorities today and says a "live" conversation is underway about security arrangements at voting centres.

Some state MPs have called for increased security and warned the tone of debate was having a "chilling effect" on democracy.

Victorian state politicians have pleaded for increased security, in response to death threats and abuse that have made some MPs reluctant to attend pre-polling centres when they open in four weeks' time.

The ABC understands Premier Ben Carroll will meet with the Victorian electoral commissioner today to discuss security arrangements in the lead-up to the state's November 28 poll.

It is also understood the premier has called a special cabinet meeting to discuss safety concerns with elected members in the wake of Monday's attack on federal MP Helen Haines.

On Tuesday, Premier Ben Carroll said there was a "live conversation" between government, police and the electoral commission about boosting security at voting centres.

The ABC has spoken to more than a dozen state parliamentarians from across the political spectrum who all reported threats to their safety and that of their family, staff and volunteers.

Most wanted security to be ramped up and for state parliament and the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) to do more to protect them, warning that the tenor of debate was having a chilling effect on democracy.

There is a consensus among MPs that social media has escalated abuse and harassment, with some retiring from parliament or considering stepping back because of the constant stream of online hate.

Several MPs said threats and abuse directed at them and their staff had accelerated, particularly during the pandemic, when protesters performed a fake execution of an effigy of then premier Daniel Andrews on the steps of parliament.

Protesters brought a noose to Victorian Parliament when they protested pandemic laws in November 2021. (ABC News)

At the time, security arrangements for Mr Andrews moved to around-the-clock protection, the ABC understands.

During her time as premier, Jacinta Allan worried an MP was going to be killed.

"I do not remember a time when our foundations have felt so unsteady,'' Ms Allan said in her last media appearance in August to announce her retirement.

A billboard targeting former premier Jacinta Allan was condemned after it appeared in Melbourne earlier this year. (Facebook: Sherele Moody)

Campaigning for the Victorian election paused on Tuesday out of respect for Ms Haines, which prompted Mr Carroll to reach out to state leaders including Opposition Leader Jess Wilson.

"Whether it's your volunteer wearing a red t-shirt or a blue t-shirt or a green t-shirt or an orange, let's just make sure that as leaders that respect civility is first and foremost," he told 774 ABC Melbourne on Tuesday morning.

The Labor Party has advised its volunteers to campaign in pairs, but preferably in larger groups and to remain alert to security risks.

MPs and ministers have repeatedly raised the alarm in cabinet and Labor caucus meetings, several sources said. Opposition MPs have also lobbied for increased security.

Some politicians were hesitant to attend pre-polling booths, which open 10 days before Victoria's November election.

Victorian MP Georgie Purcell says she has had to change her behaviour over safety concerns.  (ABC News)

Upper house Animal Justice MP Georgie Purcell said the situation was particularly dire for women with a profile.

"It does change the way you move about the world. I consider my movements everywhere I go for my physical safety and I can't do a lot of things other politicians, particularly men, can do,'' she told the ABC.

Ms Purcell, whose partner is federal Labor MP Josh Burns, said Victorian MPs needed to have the same security arrangements as their federal counterparts.

One parliamentarian felt frustrated that they did not receive protection like the prime minister or premier. "Don't make decisions on behalf of us when you get personal protection," they said.

A VEC spokesperson said maintaining safe elections was its priority, adding: "Political violence has no place in our democracy."

Broadcaster Tracee Hutchison said she endured gendered attacks when she contested the May by-election in Nepean as an independent candidate.

"One of the reasons I decided not to recontest in Nepean in November was because of the relentless sustained attacks on me, verbal abuse, online abuse, defacing of my political materials," Ms Hutchison told 774 ABC Melbourne on Tuesday.

Independent candidate Tracee Hutchison says she suffered online attacks during the Nepean by-election earlier this year. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

Candidates and political parties reported that the mood had shifted at the last state election in 2022, shortly after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

"We were exposed to danger. We were not safe," Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas wrote in a submission to the parliament's review of the conduct of the election.

Deakin University extremism expert Josh Roose said targeted threats to politicians and their electorate offices began to spike during the pandemic.

"One of the key drivers of that has been distrust in government," Dr Roose said.

He said people were profiting from a polarised environment.

"That might be economic capital, i.e. clicks, and traffic being driven and advertising dollars online, but it's also political capital. Political parties are exploiting quite raw emotion out there, driven by the cost-of-living crisis, affordability, even diesel prices in our regions. People are angry," Dr Roose said.

He said rural and regional communities were particularly vulnerabl…