The fragility of Australia's democracy was in plain sight yesterday when one of parliament's most well-respected politicians was critically injured in what the prime minister described as an attack outside her electorate office.
Helen Haines had returned from Mansfield to her electorate office in Wangaratta to speak to my program Afternoon Briefing about the appointment of a new National Anti-Corruption Commissioner (NACC) after a turbulent first four years for the federal integrity body.
She has fought for integrity in politics and was instrumental in establishing the NACC.
She deserved to be treated with respect and integrity too.
Instead, she is apparently Australia's first victim of a targeted attack on a politician at this scale, and the consequences for Australian democracy are profound.
This is something we've come to expect in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, but in Australia we have been living on the edge.
We've been bracing for the worst but hoping that the horrific violence which is increasingly being normalised across the world is something that escapes our island home.
Democracy only functions when we are free to speak without fear. That includes the right to stand for parliament, argue an unpopular position and to meet the people you represent without fearing for your life.
If the attack on Haines makes anyone fearful about participating in democracy, we must find every way we can to resist it.
'Australians used to disagree better'
Political analyst and Redbridge polling group director Tony Barry has warned the fragmentation of current politics was creating a tinderbox.
"Deepening political polarisation, economic insecurity, and the rise of identity-driven tribalism have created a very volatile and fragmented electorate," he said.
"Australians used to disagree better, but with the rise of tribalism and a breakdown of consensus we are unlikely to see less volatility."
Much has been said about how well-liked and respected Helen Haines is, and it's true, she is one of the most well-regarded authentic people in parliament.
But even if this were not the case, even if she peddled contentious and controversial ideas, she would still deserve the right to be safe to do her job as an elected member of parliament.
To live in a democracy free from violence is not selective; it should never be determined by who people like. It is a central and incontestable part of what it is to be in a free and democratically robust liberal democracy.
Australian Federal Police data shows it received 1,067 reports of threatening, harassing, nuisance and offensive behaviour directed towards parliamentarians, high office holders and associated offices and facilities in 2025–26, an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year.
We have a problem in this country, and we must now truly reckon with what it means.
Campaigners warned about safety
In the coming days we will have a fierce debate about how to keep politicians safe in their electorates and accessible to their constituents. There will be discussions about the political temperature and the level of security politicians need.
But underlying it all is the brutal reality that something has changed in this country and the innocence we once enjoyed has been shattered.
Victoria goes to the polls next month, and last night Labor's state director, Steve Staikos, warned campaigners about their safety.
In an email he wrote: "I would also like to remind all campaign workers and volunteers to remain alert to potential safety risks throughout the campaign."
He warned them not to campaign alone. "Whether you are doorknocking, at a train station or a polling booth, I ask that you please attend in pairs at a minimum. Ideally, please campaign in teams of three or greater."
The Centre for Public Integrity, an independent research institute with a longstanding relationship with Helen Haines, says if the alleged incident was intentional, it would be an "act of democratic violence".
In a statement, it said it was "devastated" by the reports, describing Haines as an "extraordinary parliamentarian and an extraordinary person", adding it was "shocked by the increasingly hostile environment in which Australian parliamentarians are working".
Threats increasing for years
On 7.30, the prime minister called for respectful political debate.
"We can have differences. They should be debated out in a democracy, but they shouldn't be the subject of personal rancour and the calling into people's motivation where it's not appropriate to do so."
Threats against Australian politicians have been increasing for several years. Yesterday afternoon that fear became reality, and one of the most widely respected politicians in the federal parliament was the victim of unspeakable violence.
The whole system relies on a functional society.
British Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered in 2016 while on her way to meet constituents. The judge sentencing Cox's murderer stressed the importance of MPs being able to "meet their constituents safely and fearlessly".
Haines should have been able to walk in her office and speak to the nation about the integrity reset she had campaigned for.
The fact that the nation wasn't able to hear her articulate her vision is a travesty.
This is our moment to stand up and ensure that Haines remarkable democratic commitment is honoured.
Democracy must be fiercely protected.
Patricia Karvelas is host of ABC News Afternoon Briefing at 4pm on weekdays on ABC News Channel, co-host of the weekly Party Room podcast with Fran Kelly and host of politics and news podcast Politics Now.