I rise today to offer my heartfelt prayers and well wishes to Helen Haines, her family, her friends, her staff and her wider Indi community following the tragic incident outside her electorate office last week. On behalf of the constituents of O'Connor, I express my deep concern for Helen and my incredulity that such a horror could occur in the streets of a regional community not dissimilar to those of my electorate. Helen, please know you have been in the thoughts and prayers of the many people I've spoken to in the past week. I know our collective hope is that you will gain strength from these well wishes from strangers across the nation.

We are all deeply saddened to think any close-knit regional community could experience such an atrocity, but we're also heartened to see the heroism of everyday Australians, those who rush towards danger rather than turn away—the barber, the local shopkeepers, Helen's own electorate officers, all faced with a horrific sight but offering whatever assistance they could. Thank you to those incredible local emergency service officers, who called on every vestige of their expertise and professionalism to work on someone they actually know. This is typical of regional Australia, where almost every person is only one degree of separation from the other, and our dedicated local first responders and volunteers face this potential added trauma every time they don their uniform. Deputy Speaker Boyce, through you, I say this: Helen, you were struck down doing what you love in a community that clearly cares about and respects you, as does every member in this place. You are a terrific person and a dedicated representative of your community. You deserve so much better than this.

For members and senators, what happened to Helen is not what any of us signed up for, and it most certainly should not define the direction our working lives take from here on in. Our job requires us to be out in our electorates, engaging with our constituents, listening to grievances and responding to the best of our ability. But, regardless of how passionate or aggrieved anyone could be, there is never a circumstance that justifies violence, let alone the horrific act Helen has been subjected to. I, for one, will not resile from the public-facing part of this job. It's a part that I love and a part of the job I know Helen loves.

Time will reveal the full story behind this apparently senseless attack, but no-one should have to endure what Helen is experiencing at this time. I hope Helen can gain strength from the love of her family, her friends, her staff and the wider Australian community. I know the expertise of her surgical, medical and rehabilitation teams will support her through the difficult weeks and months ahead, and I hope she can feel the compassion and love translated across the miles from regional communities like mine. Helen, you are in the thoughts and prayers of all of us.