If you put Helen Haines and me in a room together, you'd probably wonder what we'd have to talk about—Helen, a respected nurse, midwife and rural health researcher from regional Victoria, and me, a former coalminer, fitter and turner, and Olympic shooter from the Hunter. On paper, we could not be more different. But I've learnt that sometimes the people you least expect to have something in common with turn out to be the ones you respect the most. Helen is certainly one of those people. That's what makes the events of the past week just so heartbreaking. Nobody should ever experience what Helen has but particularly not somebody who has dedicated her life to helping others. My thoughts have been with Helen, her husband, Phil, their family, her staff and everybody impacted.

The first time I met Helen, she was kind, open and upfront. She didn't muck around. She told you what she thought, listened and treated you with respect. You always knew where you stood with Helen. We sit in different parts of this chamber and disagree on some things, but what I've always known of Helen is that she's here for the right reasons. She's here to fight for the people who put their trust in her. Not too long ago, we shared a panel at Politics in the Pub at the Australian National University. We discussed our communities and the challenges facing regional Australia. What struck me the most was just how many problems we shared: access to health care, decent roads, housing, telecommunications, local jobs and making sure regional communities aren't forgotten about. Indi and the Hunter are hundreds of kilometres apart, but many concerns are exactly the same. We both believe regional Australians deserve the same opportunities as anyone in our capital cities. We might have different ideas about getting there, but we're passionate about our communities. That's what politics should be about—people with different views having a conversation and finding ways to make life better.

These events have shaken this parliament and communities right across our beautiful country. We expect disagreement, criticism and robust debate—that is democracy—but nobody should fear for their safety or their family and staff because they've chosen to serve their community. We cannot allow violence, threats or intimidation to become part of political life, and we cannot let fear stop us from doing the job Australians elected us to do. Behind every member of this place are people who love them, worry about them and support them through the toughest of days. This week has brought that home to all of us. The arguments we have here matter, but so does remembering that the person across the chamber has a family, friends and a community who care about them very deeply. We must never lose that perspective.

To Phil and Helen's family, thank you for the love and strength you've shown through this unimaginable time. Phil, I want to acknowledge your strength in particular. Nothing prepares you for this and what's happening to the person that you love. Supporting Helen while dealing with your own shock and worry is an enormous load to carry. We're thinking of you too, mate. You deserve the same care and support you've been giving to others. To Helen's staff, dealing with their own shock while supporting their community, thank you. To the first responders, thank you for your courage and professionalism. And to Ricky Jefferies, the barber who came to Helen's rescue, thank you, mate. When somebody desperately needed help, you stepped up. An Australian looking after another Australian—that's something special. People in the Hunter have been stopping me and asking about Helen and checking that I'm okay as well. These events have affected so many people. As Special Envoy for Men's Health, I encourage people to check in on their mates and have those difficult conversations. Right now that's more important than ever.

To Helen, thank you for your friendship, your kindness, your honesty and your commitment to regional Australia. You show that people can disagree politically while treating each other with decency and respect. My thoughts remain with you, Phil, your family, your staff and the entire Indi community. Helen, we know there's a long road ahead. Take the time you need and know you've got plenty of people in your corner. We're looking forward to having you back in this chamber, bringing that same determination, honesty and strong voice for the people of Indi. Get well soon, Helen.