Angus Taylor has been criticised for his response to the alleged attack on Helen Haines, with crossbenchers Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall labelling a speech by the opposition leader “tone deaf” and saying he did not “read the room”. Parliament returned in Canberra on Monday, a week after an alleged attack outside the Indi MP’s northern Victorian electorate office, which led to her losing both legs. A 43-year-old man has been charged and the incident continues to be investigated.
The episode has sparked debate about the safety of MPs and the state of the political environment, including the culture of parliamentary debates. But the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, and the One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce have rejected calls for a change in practice to cool Australia’s political debate. People who resort to intimidation and violence cross a line that must never be crossed.” He said Labor had been correct to call out far-right extremism in Australia but called for all extremism to be rejected.
He said judges should “come down harder” on people found guilty of intimidation or violence. Too many Australians have been taught to feel guilty and shame about our country and about our history. Not necessarily, in fact highly unlikely.” Steggall, the independent Warringah MP, who sits next to Haines in the lower house, said she was personally disappointed by Taylor’s speech.
Steggall referenced conversations with Haines’ husband, Phil Haines, in Canberra on Monday.
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