If we’re going to make the country safer, it starts in the building where Helen and I work

October 20, 2026 — 2:25pm

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Often, question time begins with a few minutes of condolence or bipartisan sentiment. Then it quickly descends into an hour of rancour and abuse that would lose you your job in any other workplace. Members of parliament labelling colleagues “traitors”, calling for them to be “stoned in the square”, to have a bag put over their head, to “rip him a new one”.

Politicians are regularly asking our community to disagree well, but our hypocrisy is often on display. Fundamentally, we need to collectively look in the mirror today and consider how it is that we got here.

Helen Haines is the best of us – a politician with deep roots in her community who brings integrity and intelligence to Canberra.

“Minister, I have some serious concerns about this approach. Can you tell me more about ...”

That’s the start of a Helen question. Polite, but extremely effective and probing. Her gentle demeanour belies her enormous contribution, particularly on government accountability and transparency. The people of Indi could not ask for a more diligent, serious and compassionate representative in public life.

Independent MP Helen Haines in critical condition after ‘attack’ outside her office

Helen is warm........

© Brisbane Times