'Things have dramatically changed': How rising political discord is making MPs' jobs dangerous

The vehicle attack on independent Indi MP Helen Haines has brought to light a disturbing escalation in threats against Australian politicians, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterates his call to "turn down the heat" of public debate.

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MPs and senators united across the political divide to condemn the act of violence against Dr Haines outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, as the MP remained in critical condition in Melbourne's Alfred hospital after losing her leg.

As counter-terrorism police investigate and with a 43-year-old Victorian man in custody, a picture has emerged of the increasingly dangerous environment MPs - particularly women - have to work in.

Eden-Monaro MP and Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain revealed she had been "issued with additional personal security alarms" and had to change her routine or travel arrangements due to threats, saying the reality of serving as an MP had so "dramatically changed."

"That can be difficult on staff [and] family," Ms McBain told the ABC on Tuesday, revealing three people had been arrested in her electorate over threats against MPs.

"I don't think anyone understood the true extent of how some people are targeted. And this is going to be a real wake up call for many across the political divide about how important people's words are. They are more than just words."

Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume, Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain and Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall have all spoken out against political violence. Pictures by Keegan Carroll, Gary Ramage and Mark Jesser.

Finance Minister and ACT Labor Senator Katy Gallagher, who is also the Minister for Women, said she had not seen Australia's political discourse and the treatment of MPs and their staff "as difficult or as febrile ... during my time in politics as it's been in the last 18 months or so."

Independent ACT Senator David Pocock said female politicians - particularly crossbenchers like Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie - were "constantly receiving threats" and that he and his wife Emma were also on the receiving end.

MPs across the Parliament were expecting to receive an updated security briefing from the Australian Federal Police after the attack on Dr Haines.

Warringah independent MP Zali Steggall said her team wanted to know "whether this attack changes the kind of advice we receive as parliamentarians in terms of security measures we need to put in place around our workplace, around our homes, around attending public gatherings."

Ms Steggall, who along with Wentworth independent MP Allegra Spender launched a new political party called Community Strong Australia in June, said she had noticed a shift during last year's federal election campaign.

"There was heightened concerns around safety because of polarisation of people from, often, the debate online," she told the ABC.

"You can disagree on issues and policies, but we are still people doing our job," Ms Steggall said.

"Respect is something that we have to nurture from the top, across the debate, through question time, through how we disagree."

She pointed the finger at talk-back radio hosts for contributing to the problem, saying shock jocks were "appalling in their level of aggression and anger, and that feeds into the community."

'Echo chamber' reinforced by social media

Senator Gallagher said she believed that "standards in the Parliament have slipped" and "the way we interact with each other as political leaders has changed," with the drive for "algorithmic endorsement" having a negative influence.

"If you're on the receiving end of a viral video or some kind of attack, the pile-on will happen, death threats will happen, harms to your family will happen," she told ABC radio.

"It seems like that's locked in as the kind of nature of political engagement now. That's the price you pay for putting your hand up to represent your community. Obviously, it's completely unacceptable."

But, she said, "we can't let this change the way we do politics in this country," saying a robust debate was part of Australia's democracy.

Fenner MP Andrew Leigh said "echo chamber politics" was being "reinforced by social media, which makes it easier to just hear views of your own."

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said Australians had "long been able to resolve ... differences of view through vigorous and rigorous debate" and at the ballot box.

"We don't resolve our differences through acts of violence or attacks," Mr Taylor said. "I will seek to protect and cherish that part of our country's history and the great success that we've had."

'Robust debate' is the answer

Deputy Liberal leader Jane Hume said civility and debate were not mutually exclusive.

While agreeing with the Prime Minister's call to "take down the temperature," she said "that doesn't necessarily mean that we should shy away from arguments or robust debate."

"In fact, robust debate is the answer to a stronger democracy. It's how we solve our differences without resorting to violence," Senator Hume told the ABC.

"That's something that we should cherish ... Our democracy works well when we can debate in a robust way, in a civilised way.

"Arguments with persuasion is what it is that we're sent to do. That's what voters expect of their parliamentarians. At no point is violence part of that process. At no point is violence acceptable.

"We need to make sure that we hold dear what it is that's best about our democracy, and make sure that we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."

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