It's not just political rhetoric that's boiling over

Fiona Katauskas

Tue 27 Oct 2026 09.48 AEDT

Democracy & Accountability

It's not just political rhetoric that's boiling over

Cartoon: Fiona Katauskas

WHAT'S NEW

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

By Amy Remeikis & Tegan George

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”.

Democracy & Accountability

OPINION

Haines is a great reminder that politics can be good. We mustn’t let that be ignored

By Amy Remeikis

As we enter this parliament week, there will be a lot of people who speak about Helen and how much she means to them. We will hear a lot about her commitment to integrity, but not a lot of examination of how she applies that equally, and for democratic good.

Democracy & Accountability

WHAT'S NEW

David Pocock says Australia must confront the weaponisation of political anger

By Tegan George

Independent senator David Pocock delivered a sobering message to the National Press Club this week in the wake of the alleged attack on his friend and colleague Helen Haines: it’s time to confront how anger has been fuelled, encouraged and exploited for political gain.

Democracy & Accountability

OPINION

There’s been an ugly shift in Australia. Our biggest challenge is a clear-eyed examination of why

By Amy Remeikis

All reasonable people abhor violence, in all its forms. As a society, we rightly resile from it. But we are no good at examining it, and we certainly aren’t practised at dealing with it.

Democracy & Accountability