Labor has described Payman's linking of a Haines-style attack to staffing allocation as outrageous. Payman has asked whether the Prime Minister is waiting for what happened to Helen Haines to happen again. Shoebridge has called for ethical Australian AI after a cyber threat warning. Lambie says Hanson has not personally apologised over a cartoon. A former Rio Tinto boss is set to lead a defence procurement watchdog, and the Farrer independent spent $1.7 million on a byelection campaign.
Federal parliament suspended normal business on Monday to pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines after a man allegedly hit her with his car in a targeted attack in Wangaratta. Police say the attack left her with severe injuries, and both of her legs were later amputated. MPs across parties praised her calm, kindness and commitment to civility in politics. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country must find a better way to argue, while others called for a conversation about regional mental health services.
MPs paid tribute to Indi MP Helen Haines in parliament on Monday after an alleged attack outside her Wangaratta office. Allegra Spender said Haines's first concerns after waking were for her staff, and thanked first responders, nurses and bystanders. Haines is in a serious but stable condition after the attack, which led to the loss of both legs. A 43-year-old man has been charged, and the incident remains under investigation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned of rising anger in public life, and Haines has been granted leave until 26 November.
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Independent MP Zali Steggall and Liberal MP Julian Leeser have accused Opposition Leader Angus Taylor of not reading the room in his speech about Helen Haines. Taylor said the alleged attack on Haines was unfathomable, and he disagreed with any link between parliamentary debate and violence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Haines in parliament, calling her a fighter. Haines has been granted leave of absence until at least the end of the sitting year.
Parliament returns this week without independent MP Helen Haines, who was struck by a car outside her Wangaratta office. Police are treating the incident as a deliberate attack, and both her legs have since been amputated. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to move a motion allowing MPs to offer messages of support. Security has been increased across public areas of Parliament House, and MPs have backed calls for a civility pledge.
Local female politicians say they have faced online abuse, false rumours and threats for some time. The discussion follows the alleged attack on independent Member for Indi Helen Haines outside her Wangaratta office. Police allege Brendan Nugent deliberately struck her vehicle, pinning her between two cars. She survived but has had both legs amputated and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition. Nugent has been charged and remanded in custody, and his lawyers say he has a history of mental illness.
Academics Daniel Heller and Farid Zaid, who co-direct the Monash University Brave Conversations Project, say emotion plays a large part in conflict and that people can pause before responding. Governor-General Sam Mostyn, a close friend of Helen Haines, urged Australians to debate with greater civility, saying words matter. Scanlon Foundation Research Institute CEO Anthea Hancocks said many people find disagreeing well hard. The experts recommend asking open questions to understand other views, and say a good disagreement leaves both people feeling taken seriously.
Independent MP Helen Haines was the victim of an attack this week, widely described as shocking but unsurprising. Security agencies have briefed MPs on safety risks. Governor-General Sam Mostyn urged politicians to disagree respectfully, while ASIO boss Mike Burgess has long argued that inflamed language can lead to violence. Several politicians acknowledged the need to lower the temperature of debate. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor defended vigorous argument while condemning intimidation and incitement to violence.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn has urged Australians to show decency after the alleged attack on Helen Haines. Mostyn visited Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, where Haines' husband Phil said her second leg had been amputated. Haines remains in a critical but stable condition after Brendan Nugent allegedly drove a vehicle at her outside her Wangaratta electorate office. Nugent faces charges including dangerous driving and intentionally causing serious injury. He is due back in court on February 4.
Phil Haines has spoken publicly for the first time since a car struck his wife, independent MP Helen Haines, outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday. He said both of her legs have been amputated and that her recovery would be long and difficult. Doctors at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne are treating her for critical injuries. Governor-General Sam Mostyn urged Australians to debate with greater civility. Former MP Cathy McGowan called on voters to call out bad behaviour, and a vigil was planned in Wodonga.
The sister of murdered UK MP Jo Cox has urged Australia to treat the attack on independent MP Helen Haines as a turning point. Haines was struck by a car outside her Wangaratta office on Monday. A 43-year-old man, Brendan Nugent, has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and intentionally causing serious injury. Victoria Police says the incident is alleged to have been targeted. Kim Leadbeater called for more civil political debate, and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek described an escalating volume of threats against politicians.
Independent MP Helen Haines remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her Wangaratta electorate office. The 43-year-old suspect, detained by a local resident, is in custody as multiple agencies investigate the incident. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, urging respectful political discourse amid rising threats against MPs. Haines, a respected community figure, was airlifted to Melbourne for treatment following the alleged assault. The motivation behind the attack remains unclear, with authorities emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
