I thought Monday 19 October was like any other day, and, looking through the news cycle, I was shocked at the time to see that Dr Helen Haines had actually been struck by a car, and it sounded all very harmless at the time. Then a few hours later the full media reports had come out, and can I just say this wasn't like any normal attack. This was an absolutely barbaric attack on any person, as many have said, whether it be a butcher, plumber, nurse, anyone at all. This was an absolute shocking, barbaric attack where a four-wheel drive was driven over her, and witnesses say it occurred a number of times. It's actually cost Dr Haynes both her legs.

You've heard about what a wonderful member Helen is. We heard from the member for Watson, Tony Burke, that, when it comes to those MPs who would be in line for hate and everything else like that, Helen would definitely not be up there. I'm hearing from a lot of female members that the anger in the community against them always seems to be worse compared to other MPs, which is a shocking way for Australia to be at the moment. Can I just say that I've been here for 20 years, and the temperature, I'd say, has turned right up on social media.

Helen's been a great member for Indi. She has been a strong advocate for better healthcare, regional infrastructure, affordable energy and integrity in public life. I think that's one of the big things. She has done everything to be seen as doing the right thing. That's shocked other members of parliament and senators and people right across Australia. She also was right behind delivering the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and that's a huge achievement. Our thoughts and prayers go with her husband, Phil. He's made a very good point that when we talk in parliament or to the media the normal person hears our messages and may not take them much further. For a person living on the edge with a mental illness, it could be that little thing which makes them go off. That's something we all need to be very much aware of.

I also acknowledge her three children, Will, Nick and Georgia; Helen's staff, who I heard did an amazing job; all her friends; and the entire community in Wangaratta. Wang's a place that everyone drives past while going to Canberra. It's a lovely town to drop into. Nothing like this would have been expected. We heard of the great efforts of Ricky Jefferies when he confronted the attacker and disarmed him and those of Cody Lepoidevin, who also stepped in to help him restrain the offender. Jacklyn Black and Jacob Evans provided immediate assistance following the attack on Helen.

The attack on Helen is also an attack on Australian democracy, because everyone is equal in Australia. There are no two ways about that. The same time Helen was attacked, most likely—it will obviously come out—she was highlighting her name on her vehicle, because she's a good community MP. That ended up becoming a target, and that's something we need to think about as members of parliament, for example. As a former police officer, I don't put my branding on my car. I don't highlight events that I'm going. Even my own staff have been reluctant to go to certain events after we've had incidents.

I think question time today was the best question time I've seen in my time here. The tone was right. All of us have to do better, including myself. Sometimes, we go hard on social media, but we now have to think about who that message is going out to. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with Helen, and I'm very much looking forward to her coming back to Parliament House to be a stronger voice for Australia.