Tributes flow for Helen Haines, hailed as a ‘force for change’

Even as she regained consciousness following an alleged attack, independent MP Helen Haines’ first thoughts were for her staff and the people who came to her aid.

Addressing Parliament in an emotional tribute, fellow independent Allegra Spender shared an account from Dr Haines’ husband.

“Phil told us about your first words since when you woke up after the attack and said that your first concerns when you awoke were for the start for your staff and gratitude to your first the first responders, nurses, and bystanders,” she said.

Dr Haines lost both legs after alleging being deliberately struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office in regional Victoria last week.

She remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Ms Spender said her immediate concern for others spoke to her character but warned that her kind reputation shouldn’t overshadow her determination to bring about change.

“People have spoken about your empathy and grace, and they deserve recognition,” she told Parliament.

“But I think it paints a sort of picture of you as a sort of benign force wandering through the parliament, and what I will say is that you are also a force for change, and I think this is genuinely the lesson in your life, because you were a force for change.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led tributes to Dr Haines in Parliament on Monday, saying the shock from what happened last week was “like a stone in our hearts”.

“The member for Indi, in all her decency, integrity, compassion, humour, and empathy, has always embodied the truth that there is more that unites us than divides us; that there is no stronger foundation than common ground, her capacity to do it all with such heart and such unrelenting advocacy is, in its own way, a reminder that she has served in far tougher places than this,” he said.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor followed with a personal tribute to Dr Haines, before describing the incident as an “attack on democracy”.

“In the past week, it’s been suggested by some there is a causal connection between robust parliamentary debate and political violence,” he said.

“I disagree with this view.

“Our democratic system has served us well, from our colonies through to federation, through to the present day.”

But Mr Taylor also used the occasion to wade into culture wars.

“Another thing we must do is celebrate Australia more readily,” he said.

“Too many Australians have been taught to feel guilty and shame about our country and about our history.

“Is it any wonder that some feel deep animosity towards our democracy, our institutions, and our nation.”

Dr Haines’ independent colleagues placed a cockatoo on her seat in tribute.

The orange cockatoo has become one of the enduring symbols of the ‘Voices of’ movement, which Dr Haines has helped cement in regional communities, following in the footsteps of Cathy McGowan.

Independent MP Kate Chaney, wore an orange blazer and a cockatoo brooch in support of Dr Haines, urged other politicians to act with kindness and sign a civility pledge that Dr Haines had championed before the alleged attack.

“It (the pledge) is a very simple thing. It just says: in my political life, I pledge to act with honesty, respect and compassion,” she said on ABC Radio.

Community Strong MP Zali Steggall become emotional while reflecting on her seven-year friendship with Ms Haines, who she said she met at ‘MP school’ in 2019.

“You’re the matriarch of the crossbench, always a voice for respectful political debate. We have heard your words loud and clear: kindness over hate,” she said.

“It’s time to defuse the tension and consider how our words are being received by others in the community beyond this place.”

Greens leader David Shoebridge described the incident as another tragic example of male violence against women and urged politicians to reflect on their responsibility to the Australian public.

“Politics has an obligation to not just be a fight in this place, but to be a way in which people’s lives get better, and people can look to politics with hope and a sense that we’re answering people’s hard material needs at this moment,” he told journalists.

Liberal shadow minister Zoe McKenzie said the alleged attack had been a “very cold bucket of water” for politicians and a wakeup call for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) about the threats they routinely face.

“The conduct, the aggression that we might see every day there’s a bucket of it online, but there’s equally a fair amount of it that happens in the streets from time to time,” she said.

“And generally speaking, we as parliamentarians just go, it is what it is. You’re a public figure.”

SBS reported that additional security measures were being introduced across public areas of Parliament House.

Liberal MP Tony Pasin said the alleged attack had “sucked the oxygen out of the lungs” out of most politicians while parliamentary speaker Milton Dick declared it was a “moment for all of us to rise to the challenge” to show respect.

Bradfield independent Nicolette Boele posed the question to Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek, asking what she would say to young women who are wondering whether public life is safe for them.

“I’m not surprised if there are young women all over Australia looking at the horrific attack on Helen Haines, and wondering whether a life in public is worth it, whether it’s safe for” she replied.

“And what I would say to them is 100%, it is worth it.

“Every single day in this place, we make important decisions that change this country, change it for the better, and we can’t vacate the field to the people who would stop us from doing that.”