Indi MP struck by car

Helen Haines, independent MP for Indi, was struck twice by a car outside her office. She lost her leg in what is believed to be an allegedly targeted attack.

Crossbench rallying cry

Crossbench MPs share a saying among themselves: What would Helen do? They wore it on T-shirts and asked each other the question after the alleged attack on Haines.

“What would Helen do?”

Suspect faces charges

A forty three year old man was behind the wheel of the white LandCruiser. He is now facing three charges. Questions remain unanswered about his intent and potential motive.

Threats to politicians surge

Two years ago, the AFP recorded nine hundred fifty one reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against office holders. Last year, that increased to one thousand sixty seven.

Violence exploded since pandemic

Josh Roose, associate professor of politics at Deakin University and expert in violent extremism, says numbers had exploded exponentially since the Covid pandemic.

MPs share abuse stories

Independent senator Fatima Payman received human faeces posted to her office. Senator Lidia Thorpe wore a disguise to shop in public. Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek said rape threats were regular occurrences.

More threats reported

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce received numerous death threats. Labor's Jerome Laxale received a bomb threat. Labor's Anne Aly received nineteen death threats in one week.

Politicians change behaviour

Many MPs at federal and state level changed their behaviour after recent threats. They became more careful with social media, advertising public events, and the routes they use to commute.

Ryan rejects security guards

Independent MP Monique Ryan, a close colleague of Haines, says she hoped Australian politicians would not need to be separated from constituents. Guards could not have prevented this attack.

“We want to stay normal human beings, stay members of our community. We don't want to be locked off.”

McIntosh warns on democracy

Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh says tightened security would make democracy weaker. She worries many women would rule out running for office but says you cannot let bad people win.

“You can't let bad people win.”

Laxale on accessibility

Labor's Jerome Laxale says eroding trust in democracy happens when your MP is not accessible or visible. He now only narrowcasts locations for public events to targeted areas.

“It erodes trust in democracy when your MP isn't accessible or visible.”

Ryan fights to preserve access

Monique Ryan says everyday interactions with the public are one of the joys of Australian democracy. Tightened security is not the answer. She will fight to protect what Australia has.

“It's really precious what we have, and I'll fight to protect that.”