MP hit by vehicle, loses both legs; threats against politicians surge
Helen Haines was struck by a LandCruiser in a carpark. The attack sparked politicians to share accounts of violent threats.
Federal MP Helen Haines remains in hospital after a car struck her in a carpark on Monday. Witnesses say it was an intentional attack.
By Wednesday, both her legs had been amputated. The motive for the attack is still unknown.
The incident has prompted politicians across parliament to reveal they receive daily violent threats. These include death threats and sexual violence threats.
Women MPs say threats are regularly sexual in nature. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for the temperature of political debate to be lowered.
He cited social media as amplifying violence and giving voice to threats.
- Both of Helen Haines' legs by Wednesday
- Legs amputated
- Unknown
- Motive
Why it mattersThe attack and subsequent revelations show that Australian political discourse has become dangerously heated, with elected officials facing daily threats of severe violence.
AustraliaThis reflects a sharp deterioration in the safety of Australian politicians and the civility of public debate, with implications for who will stand for parliament and how Australians engage with their representatives.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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