Opinion: Kelly McPherson
The horrific attack on Helen Haines MP is rightly dominating the headlines and it deserves our condemnation and concern. Like so many Australians, I wish her strength, support and the best possible recovery. Behind the headlines is a person whose life has been profoundly affected, alongside her family, friends, colleagues and community.
What happened to Helen matters. And our concern should endure long after the news cycle moves on.
The circumstances surrounding this attack must be established through the investigation. We should not speculate about the attacker’s motives or assume we understand what led to it. Nothing excuses the decision to harm another person.
We can, however, ask broader questions about how Australia prevents violence and protects its people. Those questions deserve sustained attention, regardless of where we stand politically.
How do we build a society where people can access help before they reach breaking point? Where families raising concerns are heard, services have the resources to respond and warning signs lead to meaningful action?
Violence affects people in their homes, workplaces and communities. Many never make the headlines. Their safety matters too.
Our political leaders, businesses and digital platforms have responsibilities here. So do we as citizens.
Preventing violence and protecting people must be priorities supported by action, resources and accountability.
Accessible mental health care, stronger community connections and earlier intervention require sustained investment. Threats, bullying and content that incites violence require a serious response.
Mental illness should never be confused with violent intent, and personal hardship does not excuse harming another person.
Effective prevention means taking people’s suffering seriously while also taking threats and dangerous behaviour seriously.
Compassion and accountability must work together.
The heart of a community is revealed in how it treats its most vulnerable. That means listening to people who are struggling, protecting those at risk and ensuring support reaches all people.
Everyone deserves to be safe. We should be able to agree on that, even when we disagree about politics.
Our collective response will be measured by what we do next: whether we listen, whether we act and whether we sustain the effort to reduce violence once public attention turns elsewhere, I believe this should happen regardless of what government is in power.
For Helen, who has lost both her legs and whose life has now been changed forever, I hope the months and years ahead bring healing, support and the opportunity to live her life safely and fully.
For Australia, I hope our concern becomes a lasting commitment to protecting one another.
When the headlines fade, our responsibility to each other remains.
Do you think we are doing enough to protect people, or have we become accustomed to expressing shock, offering sympathy and waiting for the next tragedy?
