From the Guardian · · 2m
The attack on Helen Haines and us all
Zoe Daniel on her friend's critical injuries and the political violence we all enabled.
In brief
Zoe Daniel on her friend's critical injuries and the political violence we all enabled. Independent MP Helen Haines was critically injured in an alleged targeted attack near her Wangaratta office. Zoe Daniel, a fellow independent, argues that political leaders and media across the spectrum bear responsibility for…
A friend in critical condition
Helen Haines, independent MP for Indi, remains in critical condition after an alleged targeted attack near her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria on Monday.
We saw this coming
Zoe Daniel, fellow independent MP, had warned after the 2025 election that one of them would eventually get hurt. She told the Age: one of us is going to get hurt eventually.
“one of us is going to get hurt eventually”
Who Helen Haines is
Haines represents the backbone of parliament. Following Cathy McGowan's path, she created the Beechworth principles, gathered people seeking integrity and honesty, and pushed for a National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The teal wave connection
Without Haines and Zali Steggall's work on climate, Daniel doubts the teal wave of two thousand twenty-two would have happened. Haines showed a local member can represent community and shift national policy.
The risks women face
Women for Election reported that women in politics face outsized risks. After the two thousand twenty-five election, Haines and Daniel shared concerns about doxing, abuse and threats they had experienced.
We are all responsible
Daniel argues political strategy has weaponised anger and division to win. Mainstream media's business model is built on conflict and clickbait. Social media drives outrage for profit. Everyone must take responsibility.
What needs to change
Social media needs managing with an enforceable duty of care including transparency around algorithms, fake news, manipulation and mental health damage. Leaders and media must examine what they have done or not done.
The question now
Daniel ends by asking what we are all going to do about this together. A community representative, wife, mother, grandmother, colleague and friend was allegedly violently attacked for being a damn fine person.
“a damn fine person”
The one thing
Independent MP Helen Haines was critically injured in an alleged targeted attack near her Wangaratta office. Zoe Daniel, a fellow independent, argues that political leaders and media across the spectrum bear responsibility for weaponising anger and division.
