ABC Friends is shocked and dismayed by the attack on Helen Haines, the federal member for Indi.

Helen is one of those rare politicians who has shown that it is possible to conduct politics with integrity and compassion, that it’s not necessary to use a megaphone or be adversarial to effect change.

Helen is a local politician who has had a significant impact on our national life.

Our hearts go out to her at this very difficult time.

We support calls to promote more respectful debate in politics, in the media, online, and across all aspects of civil society.