Australian democracy is usually peaceful. But there’s a homegrown history with political violence that bears on the future

Key points

• An alleged attack on Independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta has shocked a nation where politics is usually peaceful. The motive behind the attack is not yet known.
• Politicians of different views have condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the political temperature to be turned down.
• The piece traces a history of political violence in Australia, from early colonial clashes to the 1978 Hilton Hotel bombing, and argues that sober reflection from everyone involved in public life is needed.