MEDIA STATEMENT
19 October 2026
I am deeply shocked and saddened by the incident involving my parliamentary colleague, the Member for Indi, Helen Haines, in Victoria this afternoon.
My thoughts and prayers are with Helen, her family, staff and community. I wish her a full and speedy recovery.
For some time now, I have been warning about the increasingly dangerous temperature of political discourse in Australia and the need for all of us to be mindful of the language we use.
Reports of threatening and harassing behaviour towards politicians and other high office holders have risen from 951 to 1,067 in just one financial year.
That is more than 1,000 incidents, and a deeply disturbing reflection of the environment we now face.
We can disagree passionately, debate fiercely and hold one another to account. That is democracy. But threats, intimidation and violence have absolutely no place in Australian political life.
We must be able to disagree without becoming enemies
Whatever our political differences, we are all Australians first.
I thank the first responders and those who assisted Helen today. As police investigate the circumstances of this incident, we must resist speculation as to motives and allow them to do their work.
My thoughts remain with Helen and her loved ones.
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au
