Opinion
The grotesque and senseless attack on Helen Haines is a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of Australian democracy to the growing viciousness that seems to be coursing through our national life.
A politician of palpable integrity, the independent federal MP for Indi was severely injured after allegedly being struck by a vehicle outside her north-eastern Victorian electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. She has lost one leg and surgeons are attempting to save the other.
A man is being questioned by police, who are treating the incident as isolated.
The outpouring of sympathy for the much-admired Haines brings with it deep concerns about the trajectory of political violence. Australia joins other nations in grappling with rising incivility, increasingly hostile political discourse and a surging number of threats against elected leaders.
Violent physical attacks against Australian politicians are a rarity. We are a nation more used to verbal aggression, public demonstrations and eggings as the preferred form of political protests.
Haines is not a polarising figure. Rather, she has personified the best and fairest in Australian public life since she replaced the retiring pioneer of the community independent movement Cathy McGowan seven years ago.
Haines was also pivotal in the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. We mention Haines’ integrity to illustrate how – amid the shootings, arson attacks and gang wars – violence has turned mindless.
And with personal attacks creeping into political debate, the Wangaratta attack has also alarmed state and federal MPs who have been subject to increasingly threatening behaviour.
Since national security investigation teams were launched in October last year, 41 people have been charged with offences relating to threats against federal MPs and high officeholders. Victoria is already contemplating increased security at next month’s state election.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll was correct, and not alone, in describing this story of violence as unfathomable and unacceptable.
“We’ve got to stand up, call it out, and make sure that this is a turning point,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently spent weeks away from his Sydney residence as the government bolstered security and built a blast-resistant safety bunker in Kirribilli House, with 20 court cases ongoing regarding threats to the prime minister.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie received major security upgrades to his home and office because of threats against him.
ASIO director-general Mike Burgess identified the change in our national life when he said Wangaratta had occurred in an environment where increased levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation had made violence seem permissible, and politically motivated violence more likely.
“ASIO has seen direct correlations between inflamed language, inflamed tensions and acts of violence. I genuinely believe the temperature of our security environment would be several degrees lower if we recommitted to conversing with civility, debating with respect and disagreeing with restraint,” Burgess said.
While some politicians have a bad name, most enter public life to make a difference and make Australia better, even if they disagree on how to do that. It is a difficult job that requires hard work, constant scrutiny and personal sacrifice.
Australia’s democracy is dependent on people who are willing to do that job. Attacks such this will make that pool smaller. This is particularly the case with women, who are disproportionately targeted.
Research by nonpartisan not-for-profit organisation Women for Election reveals that almost 90 per cent of women politicians had experienced gendered online abuse, with more than half reconsidering their positions in public office.
One of the defining characteristics of Australian politics is allowing respectful disagreement and not hiding politicians behind security.
Moreover, being able to approach local MPs in the street is a vital part of our democracy. It helps keep politicians in touch with their communities, a casual and traditional freedom that should not be surrendered to violence or fear.
Politicians are entitled to do their work in safety. On this dark day for Australian democracy, it is incumbent on politicians of all stripes to lead by example and counteract what Burgess describes as violent rhetoric with a civil, sensible and constructive national conversation.
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