'Morning, folks. Thanks so much for being here.' That's how Helen so often opened her meetings and press conferences—a greeting that reflected who she is: warm, friendly and welcoming. The attack on our beautiful Helen was unfathomable in its violence, and it has stunned and horrified our nation. The ongoing impact on Helen and her family will be immense. But, if there's one thing I know, it's that Helen is incredibly strong and she's surrounded by a loving family and a vast community of people ready to help.

Over the past week, the phrase that has been repeated again and again is that Helen is the best of us. When we say that, we mean the best of Australians. In a world that can often feel cynical, Helen reminds us that there are people who do step forward to serve their communities for all the right reasons. As Helen acknowledged in her own first speech, there is honour in service. As a former midwife and nurse, she understands the true meaning of care and service. Just last sitting week, she pushed for action on the stark disparities in health outcomes faced by people living in regional communities. I think her steely gaze is something to behold.

Helen has also dedicated herself to strengthening our democracy through greater transparency and accountability. Many people know of her work establishing and strengthening the National Anti-Corruption Commission. More recently, she was fighting against pork barrelling and the unfair grants process, which was invitation only, because fairness matters deeply to Helen.

Just as importantly, Helen has always shown that lasting change doesn't come from shouting the loudest. It comes from bringing people together, listening and treating people with respect. At a time when division and anger are, too often, amplified online, Helen has consistently shown that the antidote to division is real conversations between real people. Indi was the birthplace of the kitchen table conversation, a typically rural way to bring people together to listen to one another, to understand different perspectives and to find common ground.

Family is also at the centre of everything that Helen does. Anyone who knows her knows how her face lights up when she talks about her family or asks you about yours. To Phil, her dear husband: at a time when growing misogyny tells young men that women's success somehow comes at their expense, you've shown what real strength, honour and courage look like. You've always stood beside Helen as a true partner, supporting her to reach her full potential—not only sharing in her success but actively helping to create it. Your confidence and self-worth are strengthened, not diminished, by Helen's achievements, and you have been quietly and steadfastly by her side, encouraging her every step of the way and ensuring her success. I absolutely love that you have your own makeshift office by Helen's where you guide the Indi volunteers through their parliamentary experiences. We see you.

One of the most incredible aspects of this whole incident is that juxtaposed to the extreme violence was an act of extraordinary kindness shown in the moments straight after the attack. At a moment when anger would have been completely understandable, Ricky Jefferies, the barber, chose kindness to calm and subdue the perpetrator. He recognised another human in immense distress, and I think that is incredible. To the bystanders, staff members and first responders who rushed to Helen's aid, to the incredible person who sat in front of the vehicle to prevent Helen from being hurt again and to Ricky Jefferies: the nation thanks you for your kind and courageous hearts, for your decency and for your deeds.

There has been much discussion this week about the threats faced by politicians. Those threats are real, but, for every one person who would do harm, there are thousands of thoroughly decent Australians who would put themselves in harm's way to help a stranger. That is who we are. I thank the health professionals, the doctors, the nurses and the hospital staff who are caring for Helen. I say thank you to Helen's incredible team for continuing her work while she is recovering, for supporting one another and also for supporting so many of us through these unimaginably difficult times.

To Phil and Helen's family: our thoughts and our love are with you. There is an empty seat in front of me today, and the woman who usually occupies it is in the fight of her life, but we know her strength, and it comes from within. To Helen: Please know that there are rivers of love flowing towards you from all around our nation. We love you with all our hearts, and we are sending you every best wish for your recovery. While the relief is immense that your heart and mind are intact—the most beautiful parts of you—please also know that we do mourn the loss of your legs. We mourn with you.

Phil has asked that what has happened to Helen mean something. Business as usual is not an option, because the current febrile environment is dividing our communities and our country. We as national leaders have a choice, as Phil said, to tame it or inflame it. It is up to us to hold this nation of ours—this beautiful nation—together. So, as many of us already do, let's ask ourselves: what would Helen do in this situation? We know what she would do. She would do everything to help bring people together with kindness rather than driving them further apart. With her very much in my thoughts, I too make the same pledge that she has always lived by: 'In my political life, I pledge to act with honesty, respect and compassion.'