There are moments in this place when politics, party lines and business of parliament all seem very small compared to what really matters. This is one of those moments. The member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, is a woman who earned the respect admiration and affection of so many people across this parliament and throughout regional Australia and, of course, in her own electorate of Indi. My thoughts and prayers are with Helen, her husband, Phil, their children and grandchildren and, of course, Helen's staff.

The member for Indi, Helen, is by any measure an extraordinary person, but what makes her extraordinary is not simply her contribution to this place or the causes she has championed; it is the person that she is. Helen grew up in a regional community where people understood the importance of looking out for one another. She has built her career caring for people as a bush nurse and midwife, serving regional communities through some of the most important and difficult moments in their lives, and she carried the same sense of service into this parliament.

Helen and I share a genuine love for regional Australia and the people who call it home. We both know that representing a regional electorate is more than turning up to parliament here in Canberra; it is about being out in our communities, listening to people, understanding their challenges and fighting for the places and the communities we are fortunate enough to call home. There is a real connection between people who represent regional communities. We understand the pride people have in where they live, the challenges they face and how much they rely on one another.

Helen has also been a tireless champion for rural and remote health care. Less than two weeks ago, Helen delivered a moving speech alongside our very own Mayor Dean Johnson, speaking about the persistent challenges facing rural and remote health care and the ongoing need for adequate funding to achieve equity in access to health care and achieve better outcomes for regional and remote communities. It was a powerful reminder that Helen cares about ensuring people in regional communities can access the health care they need regardless of where they live.

I've also had the opportunity and privilege to work along Helen through the regional development parliamentary committee, and it has been a real pleasure. Throughout that work, I've seen her commitment to regional communities firsthand. That common ground is something I've genuinely valued in working with Helen, and, Helen, I will continue to fight and champion for better health care in our regions for you.

Helen has demonstrated that you can challenge the way things are done, ask difficult questions and hold governments to account while still treating people with respect, because behind every member in this parliament is a person, a family and a community that cares about them. Helen's circumstances are a sobering reminder of that. No-one should have to fear for their safety because they have chosen to serve their community. Disagreement is a part of democracy. Debate is a part of this place. Holding different views is part of what makes our democracy work. But violence has no place in politics, in our communities or in our society.

Regional Australia needs people like the member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, someone who understands their communities, who turns up, who listens, who cares and who is prepared to put in the hard work while no-one else is watching. I hope we never take for granted the people who dedicate their lives to serving others. Helen spent her career serving others, and now it is our turn to stand behind her and her family. I commend this motion to the House.