Australia is deeply shaken by the horrific attack on Helen Haines, the independent member of Parliament from Indi, and one of our most respected lawmakers.

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For me, who worked in the US Congress, the shocking violence against her immediately brought back memories of the near-fatal attack on Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona on January 8, 2011. Six others were killed, and 12 more were wounded.

All of us in the Capitol were shaken by such violence. Security was stepped up.

But our political culture continues to this day to be degraded.

Gabrielle Giffords went through years of agonizing and heroic recovery of her physical strength and speech. The path of her survival has earned the respect and support of millions in the US and around the world.

When I worked on the Democratic staff in the US Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, I kept a diary of the events of those fateful years. This was my entry on that day Gabrielle Giffords almost died:

"Sunday, January 9, 2011. A rather horrific weekend. At 1:30pm yesterday, Saturday, word flashed that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Democrat of Arizona, had been shot while meeting with constituents in Tucson.

"Six were killed, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl, who happened to be born on 9/11 and was interested in politics and showed up to see her real life congresswoman. By whatever miracle that can occur when a bullet passes from rear to front through the left side of your brain, Rep. Giffords has survived so far, and there are cautious signs for hope regarding recovery ...

"But the news brought this city to a halt; has transfixed the nation; and........

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