Source : Perth Now news
Federal independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after being hit by a four-wheel drive on Monday afternoon in what has been labelled a deliberate attack.
* “I’ve had the privilege of being in Helen’s electorate with her on a number of occasions as prime minister, and I’ve seen firsthand how loved she is by her community … she puts her heart and soul into that representation.”
– Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
* “I have always found her to be a polite, a dedicated, determined local member …acts of political violence are un-Australian and unacceptable. Our nation cannot become a place where these kinds of acts are normalised.”
– Opposition Leader Angus Taylor
* “We cannot let political violence become the norm and I believe that politics grounded in non-violence is a powerful way to address this threat. Helen is one of the most extraordinary people in Parliament.”
– Greens Leader David Shoebridge
* “Helen is the absolute best of us when it comes to being kind and respectful, listening to other people’s opinions, having and representing her community, and caring for outcomes without spreading misinformation … and so many Australians are asking for a respectful debate where we constructively build solutions, not just point the finger, blame others, and be divisive.”
– Independent MP Zali Steggall
* “If this incident is shown to have been a politically motivated attack, it will be an attack on democracy itself. We must do more to ensure parliamentarians are safe in their work and reflect on the culture that is driving dangerously undemocratic behaviour.”
– advocacy group Democracy Counts
* “This sort of attack is horrific for Helen and her community, but it is a terrible thing for our democracy if politicians have to separate themselves from the public.”
– Labor minister Tanya Plibersek
* “You can hardly imagine how bad this is, and truly, if someone wants to hurt someone like Helen Haines, heaven help the rest of us.”
– Labor minister Madeleine King
* “Helen is a deeply decent, hard-working, committed, good-spirited representative. She’s exactly what Australian democracy deserves and what her community deserves, and that event overnight obviously is awful.”
– assistant minister Josh Wilson
* “This attack happened against a backdrop of increasing polarisation and threats against politicians. We must address intimidation, hatred, threats and violence that undermine our democracy and democratic institutions.”
– Australian Human Rights Commission.
