Member for Ballarat Catherine King says the attack on fellow parliamentarian Helen Haines has been “horrific” and shocking, but that MPs have been saying it was a matter of “when, not if” an incident like it would occur.
What happened? On October 19, the Independent Member for Indi - Helen Haines - was struck by a car outside her electorate office. Police have arrested a 43-year-old man following the incident, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a deliberate attack.
Haines was rushed to hospital in critical condition, and has since had both legs amputated.
What people said: King told the Brolga safety and treatment of elected officials has been an ongoing conversation between herself and her colleagues.
“Some will say it to your face as well, and we’ve certainly seen an escalation in behaviour towards public officials. Unfortunately what that now has resulted in is a really horrific injury to one of us.”
King said that while the event was distressing, it had not come as a complete surprise.
“All of us have been incredibly shocked, but we've all been saying it’s when not if, and unfortunately we have now seen the when.”
Around the patch: Other politicians in the region have shared their thoughts on the attack throughout the week.
Dan Tehan, the Member for Wannon, posted on social media that there is “no place for political violence in our parliamentary democracy”.
“Helen, like most of the rural MPs I know, loved nothing more than being out amongst her local communities getting to know the people and their needs. It is an essential part of being a parliamentarian and something we never want to lose. That part of the job we love just became a lot harder,” the MP posted.
State MP Juliana Addison also posted that she was sending “love and best wishes”, and spoke on the dangers of “threats, abuse and intimidation” having no place in a democracy.
“We can disagree respectfully, but violence, harassment and online abuse are never acceptable.”
Helen Haines remains in a critical condition, with floral tributes being made outside her Wangaratta office.
Following a request from Haines’s husband, Phil, donations to Save The Children Australia in support of the MP have risen over $400,000.
Header Image: Catherine King MP, left, and Helen Haines, MP right.