The ferocity of political debate and the language used by politicians in Australia has been in the spotlight ever since the shocking attack on Helen Haines last week.

The independent member for Indi lost both legs after allegedly being rammed by a vehicle near her electorate office in the north-east Victorian town of Wangaratta. She is now in a stable condition.

The aftermath of the horrific incident led Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to state more needed to be done to “lower the temperature of political debate”.

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Since then, there have been calls for politicians to sign a “civility pledge” to try to tone down the often aggressive national political discourse.

Haines was the first MP to sign the pledge this year. On Monday, many of her peers did the same.

Abuse, harassment and threats

The alleged attack on Haines was a stark demonstration of the threat many elected representatives experience in office.

Since last week, politicians across the country have shared stories of abuse, harassment and concerns for their safety.

Australian politics, like other Westminster systems, is known for being adversarial and robust. At Question Time – when members of parliament ask questions of ministers, who must immediately answer – politicians frequently jeer at one another and trade insults.

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