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MP TRAGEDY
We spend a great deal of time debating issues and grievances in our political discourse. Rightly so. But the flood of praise and genuine concern for independent MP Helen Haines after the alleged attack on her outside her electoral office (“MP critical after ‘serious incident’ outside office”, 20/10) demonstrates just how important the integrity of the individual is.
Who politicians are matters. If only more elected officials embodied the kindness and honesty of Helen Haines, the parliament and the country would be far better off. I wish her a speedy recovery.
Judy Williams, Beaumaris
High standards
When you join Helen Haines’ campaign team, the first thing you do is sign up to commit to be your best self. Helen lives this every day. Perhaps it’s time for all of us to do the same.
Judy Rose, Wangaratta
A model parliamentarian
If a lesson can be learnt from a tragedy like this, it is that we can ill afford to lose honourable individuals like Helen Haines, a person who is universally recognised as a hard-working person of good character, integrity and a model of what an ideal parliamentarian should be.
We need more people like Helen Haines.
Peter Russo, West Brunswick
Time for reflection
Regardless of the motivation behind the alleged attack on an independent politician on Monday, the fact that “One Nation” was the first thing that sprang to mind says volumes. One Nation supporters may well be wanting to distance themselves from what happened, but perhaps they should be taking a long hard look at what their party of choice is promoting.
Kristen Hurley, Seaholme
Atmosphere of hate
In the past three years, we have seen awful, violent attacks on MPs’ offices. We have seen hatred paraded in our city streets. We have seen attacks on schools and places of worship.
Latterly, we have seen politicians calling for other politicians to be locked up or stoned, dumping manure in the premier’s office, and using vile, misogynistic language aimed at female politicians. We have seen politicians deride other politicians over their health issues and military service. Whole communities of people are spoken of as being “the other”.
It is an atmosphere of hate, inflamed by One Nation’s so-called leaders. Liberal MPs castigate the government for outcomes not of its making, stoking the flames higher.
It is almost inevitable that this hatred leads to physical attacks.
The alleged attack on Helen Haines should be a wake-up call to all those preaching hatred: some people will act on your words. Use reasoned debate to win your argument, not meaningless invective. Hear the prime minister: turn the temperature down. Words matter.
Louise Kloot, Doncaster
An awful familiarity
Another woman allegedly hurt, injured, harmed by another man! My heart is heavy.
Myra Fisher, Brighton East
Be the change
We are all deeply shocked at the injury caused to Helen Haines by a man allegedly driving into her outside her electorate office on Monday. We hope she makes a full recovery. She has been lauded by the prime minister and others as a woman of great integrity, worth and community esteem.
The issue spirals out from there. This emanates from an attitude of escalating hate and violence in politics and other fields that seems to be taking over the world. It starts with a sense of entitlement and is fanned by social media.
What happened to the tenets of all sorts of religions? Of concern and love for your fellow human? Of compassion and wanting to help? Of course, these still exist in most of us, and we wonder what we can do to stop the hate. Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. That’s it.
Jan Marshall, Brighton
Democracy on edge
It’s all very well for our political leaders to condemn the alleged attack on Helen Haines outside her electoral office in Wangaratta. Angus Taylor, David Shoebridge and Pauline Hanson all expressed their belief that there is no place for violence against parliamentarians and people in high office. It behoves them to practise what they preach.
Our democracy is on edge like never before right now.
Nick Toovey, Beaumaris
Ills of digital dialogue
The irony of social media is that it enables so much freedom of speech that it is tearing democracy apart.
Phil Labrum, Trentham
No reason for pseudonyms
The shocking incident involving federal MP Helen Haines should prompt reflection on the increasingly hostile nature of public debate. While the motive remains unknown, we should consider whether online anonymity contributes to this problem.
Most content creators are cowards hiding behind their pseudonyms.
Australia should require social media platforms to verify every user’s legal identity and display their real name publicly. Automated verification, with penalties for non-compliant platforms, could make this practical. Narrow exceptions could protect those facing genuine threats to their safety.
This would not restrict lawful opinions or criticism. It would simply require people to take responsibility for what they publish. If you are unwilling to stand behind your words, perhaps you should reconsider posting them.
Freedom of expression should not mean freedom from accountability.
John Whiteing, Willoughby, NSW
Limits of freedom
Isn’t it time we talked seriously about “free” speech? I maintain there is no such thing.
We cannot act freely. Laws are made to curtail actions that are harmful to us – individually, as families, as a community, as a nation, in public spaces. In other words, we are expected to act responsibly, wherever we are and whomever we are with.
We should not allow a lower standard when we speak. It should be the common expectation that we speak responsibly, backed by appropriate legislation.
Margaret Callinan, Hawthorn
Stand by independents
While all our thoughts and hopes are with Helen Haines, I will be wearing the T-shirt of my independent representative, Monique Ryan, to stand with all independent female MPs and their communities. It is time we show Victoria that bullying and intimidation cannot win against community support for their independent (and mainly female) representatives, and that no amount of pressure will stop us supporting those who listen to our community views and concerns.
Peta Colebatch, Hawthorn
Damaging comments
Just recently, a Liberal MP in federal parliament called for the stoning of certain Labor MPs in a public place. The comment was later withdrawn but the damage was done.
Geoff Allen, Parkdale
Thousands of threats
Why do more than 1000 people each year feel the need to send death threats to our politicians?
Lorraine Bates, Balwyn
Show respect
All politicians must conduct themselves with grace, civility and respect. They provide the lead to other citizens on how to behave. They should make their points without shouting, abusing and using violent words such as stoning.
All political parties must cease online and public personal attacks.
The rest of us should practise kindness and respect at all times.
With social media companies making little effort to constrain harmful and hateful content, I recommend that people stop using online platforms. You will miss nothing, and your life will be much more pleasant.
Andrew Trembath, Blackburn,
Desensitised to violence
It was shocking to hear the news about Helen Haines’ alleged attack. While we don’t know the motivation behind this tragedy, this could be considered one of the worst examples of alleged occupational violence and aggression in the workplace in Australia.
Politicians are reporting increases in such behaviour but they are not alone. Ask any healthcare worker in our hospitals, paramedic or hospitality worker, and either they or their colleagues have experienced it.
We have occupational health and safety laws at the federal and state levels but these are failing to protect workers. I fear that violence is something we are becoming desensitised to. You just need to look at the movies, video games, books and the internet, that we are all exposed to, including children, often at a young age.
No doubt it’s a complex issue but more needs to be done.
Yvonne Bowyer, Surrey Hills
Values disintegrating
Many Australians are wondering if the violent protests in Paris and Milan could occur in Australian cities (“Macron condemns violence as riots grip cities”, 20/10). And of course, the answer is yes. And it will be our government’s fault.
Our politicians have been more concerned with voter appeasement than maintaining the social contracts of decency and respect. Politicians, on the left and the right, fiercely protecting the right to free speech, have tolerated the weaponising of social media.
Laws have not been applied to stamp out hateful slogans.
Disingenuous social media posts fuel false narratives and hatred.
We desperately need government to protect us from the disintegration of our values.
Henry Kalus, Southbank
THE FORUM
Double standards
In defending One Nation’s cartoon that mocks Jacqui Lambie’s vaginal prolapse (“Hanson dismisses Lambie’s anger over attack”, 20/10), Pauline Hanson has told her to “lighten up”, claiming the cartoon to be satirical. This from someone who bans journalists from media outlets she claims unfairly criticise her and whose principal benefactor, Gina Rinehart, launched a campaign in 2024 to have an unflattering, satirical portrait of her removed from the National Gallery of Australia.
While Hanson and her ilk demand others lighten up, it’s clear they can’t bring themselves to do just that.
Kevin Bailey, Croydon
Remove cartoon
Pauline Hanson defends her cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie, yet criticised the ABC for a satirical stand-up monologue about Gina Rinehart. The ABC removed it. Hanson should do the same with her offensive cartoon.
John Hughes, Mentone
Brethren interference
I used to go to school with a Plymouth Brethren girl. She was not allowed, by church rules, to go to the theatre, the cinema or a party, wear slacks, cut her hair or wear make-up. Nor, presumably, would she be allowed to vote. Why on earth should men like the Brethren leaders be permitted to interfere in elections on behalf of the Liberal Party, when all they want to do is to interfere?
Jacki Burgess, Port Melbourne
Tax to happiness
It’s instructive to compare taxation levels in Australia and Sweden. Australia’s GST is currently 10 per cent; Sweden’s equivalent is 25 per cent.
Australia’s top marginal income tax rate is 45 per cent plus 2 per cent for the Medicare levy. Sweden’s top marginal income tax rate is 52 per cent.
Rather than reducing income tax, Sweden has used the revenue raised from their GST to significantly improve services required by its residents. Rather than bemoaning its taxation levels, a recent World Happiness Report ranked Sweden fourth globally, making its population among the happiest in the world.
Australia, on the other hand, used a substantial amount of GST revenue to reduce income tax. An argument gaining popularity in certain quarters is that the GST should be increased to reduce income tax even further.
Australia’s World Happiness is now ranked 15th with dissatisfaction growing.
It’s apparent that the Swedes have taxed their way to happiness.
Phil Alexander, Eltham
Investment issue
At a time of record-high federal and state debt, the prime minister announces more funding to try to play catch-up with our lagging infrastructure (“PM tips in $350m bonus to boost growing suburbs”, 20/10). Surely, this is another reason to question the Big Australia growth model favoured by business.
Instead of directing investment into areas to grow productivity, such as education, manufacturing and technology, the high population growth model forces our savings into housing, roads, services, areas which does little to add to per capita GDP wealth. No wonder productivity has flatlined the past 25 years.
Another myth is that we need to increase immigration to deal with a skills/labour shortage. After an increase in our population of almost 10 million over the past
25 years, it is obvious that rapid population growth causes these shortages and is not the solution.
Barry Lizmore, Ocean Grove
Love for horses
It’s always a tragedy when a beautiful horse dies during a race – it goes without saying.
That said, there would be far fewer horses on the planet if not for those who breed, tend, train and ride such beautiful creatures, which are loved by far in main by those involved.
Will all those protesting against horse racing now rush out and buy a horse, and then spend the time and money to keep them alive and contented, as most race horses are?
Yes, some end up in the knackery where they are humanely put down after having had a life well-cared for.
Howard Hutchins, Wantirna
Disgust and despair
My heart aches for your correspondent (Letters, 20/10) as you grieve the loss of your beloved twin sister. Be sure, though, that many of us share your disgust and despair over the tragedy of the two-horse fall and subsequent euthanasia of one at the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
Please continue to be the voice for us all.
Miriam Gould, Malvern
AND ANOTHER THING …
America
Perhaps Donald Trump could choose his next press secretary from an NFL cheer squad. At least the candidates should fit the job description more accurately.
Henry Herzog, St Kilda East
The world’s oil supplies continue to drain away. Who is the emerging hero of the zeitgeist? I suggest Monty Python’s Bicycle Repair Man.
Kevin Rugg, Beaumaris
Hanson
Monique Ryan was spot on when she said Jacqui Lambie was worth a thousand Pauline Hansons. John Walsh, Watsonia
Pauline Hanson says she hasn’t changed, the public mood has. Unfortunately, only in maths do two negatives make one positive.
Bernd Rieve, Brighton
Given her new-found spirit of “Get over it”, I look forward to Pauline Hanson lifting her court order banning the song, I’m a Back Door Man, by Pauline Pantsdown so we can all have a laugh again. Matthew Gilbert, Mont Albert
As we anguish over One Nation’s influence, I’d like to propose an innovative solution to our hopelessness: the Greens, ALP, Liberals and independents all put One Nation last on all tickets. It’s a metaphorical starving of oxygen.
Anne-Marie Scully, Carlton
Jobs
National Bank workers share in a productivity increase by 2500 of them getting the sack.
Rob Gordon, Kew
A shorter working week would be a logical start to reduce the catastrophic number of workers to be sacked because of technological change.
Malcolm McDonald, Burwood
Furthermore
As a grey hair of a certain age, I resent being lumped together with these artificial Gen categories: Boomers, Gen this, Gen that. Accordingly, I’d like to suggest a new inclusive grouping for older Australians: The Wizened of Oz.
Martin Field, Healesville
Finally
I hope The Castle becomes Australia’s Mousetrap.
David Cayzer, Clifton Hill
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