Statement from Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Australian Industry Group
The attack on Helen Haines is a devastating reminder to all Australians that our political debate and discourse has become increasingly warped as people, frustrated by their circumstances, turn straight to anger, blame and outrage.
Threats of violence and intimidation are unfortunately increasingly aimed at those in the frontline of debates on political issues and policy covering economic, foreign, industrial and environmental issues.
Rational debate and perspectives are being overwhelmed by polarising views pushed within the community with little understanding of context and consequences of the words that are being used.
Often, but not always, social media is the forum to gain attention for displays of anger and tirades against those directly involved in the political system and policy making who often work across the aisle to represent their constituencies, understand perspectives and negotiate workable outcomes.
If there is only one good thing to come from the devastating attack on Helen Haines, it may be that the community takes stock and dials back the language and actions that have come to characterise our political and policy debate while still allowing for different points of view to be discussed and debated.
Helen Haines has been a tremendous advocate for her community, a staunch champion for integrity and perhaps the least overtly political member of parliament since her election in 2019.
On behalf of Australian industry, I wish her a full and speedy recovery.
