Helen Haines asked about her staff and thanked bystanders after alleged attack, parliament hears

The first thing Indi MP Helen Haines did after waking from an alleged attack last week was ask whether her staff were safe and thank the people who helped her, federal parliament has heard.

Allegra Spender, the member for Wentworth, told the chamber on Monday that Haines's husband, Phil Haines, had shared the details. According to Spender, Haines expressed gratitude to the bystanders who came to her aid outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, as well as to doctors, nurses and first responders.

Haines remains in a serious but stable condition. She lost both legs in the incident. A 43-year-old man has been charged, and the investigation is continuing.

"That exactly speaks to the character of who you are," Spender said. She added that while people had praised Haines's empathy and grace, she was also "a force for change".

Tributes filled the chamber on Monday. MPs wore baby's breath flowers and orange heart lapel pins, and an orange cockatoo, a symbol of Haines's local campaign, was placed at her seat in the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called her "a fighter" and said the shock was "like a stone in our hearts". He warned against dismissing a "very real rise in anger" in public life, saying social media anonymity and speed were feeding rage and aggression directed at hospitality and retail workers, teachers, hospital staff, police and paramedics.

The alleged attack has prompted debate over the safety of MPs and the tone of politics. Opposition leader Angus Taylor and One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce both rejected calls to change parliamentary practice to cool the national debate.

Taylor said he disagreed with suggestions of a causal link between robust parliamentary debate and political violence. He said the Westminster system exists to settle differences through rigorous argument, and that those who turn to intimidation or violence "cross a line that must never be crossed". He said Labor was right to call out far-right extremism but that all extremism should be rejected, and he argued judges should "come down harder" on people convicted of intimidation or violence. He also called for Australia to be celebrated more readily.

Joyce told News24 that his thoughts and prayers were with Haines and her family, describing the alleged attack as "so unAustralian". He said parliament had a part to play but would not solve the problem alone, and called it "foolish" to think that changing question time would change the country.

MPs are being encouraged to sign a civility pledge this week, committing to honesty, respect and compassion. Speaker Milton Dick said all members were thinking of Haines and praying for her recovery, and looked forward to the day he could say, "I give the call to the member for Indi."