Firstly, I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with Dr Helen Haines and her family and husband, Phil, who we had the great privilege of hearing directly from this morning. I am certainly praying for her full recovery.

What allegedly happened in Wangaratta last week is appalling. While police must complete their investigation, reports have shocked us all. No-one should fear for their safety simply for doing their job. This is not who we as Australians are. We believe in freedom of speech, robust debate and the right to disagree. Disagreement is democracy; violence is not. My staff, my family and I have been deeply shaken. I cannot pretend otherwise. But, if we allow fear to silence us, if we retreat from the communities we were elected to serve, then something precious about our democracy will be lost. If fear is allowed to silence me, I may as well resign today. But I will not. Neither will my staff. We will continue fighting for the people of Mallee because that is the responsibility and privilege of public service.

Helen and I were elected to parliament in the same year. We represent different communities but share a passion for regional Australia, particularly regional health. Only last week we both spoke at the launch of the National Rural Health Alliance report exposing the staggering $9.3 billion underspend in regional health. Afterwards, Helen came up to me and told me how angry she was about this injustice, and I told her I felt exactly the same. Behind that figure are real people, and Helen knows that. They're regional Australians waiting too long for surgery, travelling hundreds of kilometres for specialist appointments or simply going without the health care they need. Where you live should never determine the quality of your health. Helen, while you recover, I will keep fighting for the regional health care we both know Australians deserve and I will keep fighting beyond your return with you.

The Prime Minister has called for the temperature of political debate to be lowered. I agree that threats and intimidation have no place in our democracy, but I don't agree with the Prime Minister in this instance. Robust political debate is not the problem. It is the lifeblood of our democracy. We should never confuse passionate disagreement with dangerous behaviour, nor should calls for civility become an excuse to silence criticism or avoid uncomfortable truths.

What is fuelling frustration across Australia is something far deeper. Australians are struggling. They are working harder, paying more and falling farther behind. Families are struggling with mortgages, rents, groceries and electricity bills. Many feel their hard work is getting them nowhere. They feel powerless and, worse, they feel betrayed by promises made and broken. Australians are not angry because politicians disagree. They are angry because they feel they are not being told the truth. That frustration can never justify what allegedly occurred to Helen last week. There is no excuse for such behaviour. But neither should the genuine frustration of Australians be dismissed or ignored. The answer is not less political debate; it is more honesty, transparency and accountability from, frankly, everyone on both sides of the House. Leadership means telling Australians the truth even when it is uncomfortable. It means admitting mistakes, accepting responsibility and respecting the people who put their trust in us.

Helen and I came to this parliament to serve our communities. I know she would want us to continue doing exactly that without fear or favour. Helen, your voice matters, your work matters, and, while you recover, we will keep fighting for regional Australians we both care so deeply about. We must never allow fear to silence us nor political convenience to silence the truth.