Australian MPs Criticise Taylor's Tribute to Helen Haines as Tone-Deaf
Several federal MPs said former Prime Minister Anthony Taylor's speech honoring Helen Haines failed to acknowledge the recent alleged attack and was out of touch with public sentiment.
Federal MPs on Tuesday criticised former Prime Minister Anthony Taylor for delivering a tribute to independent MP Helen Haines that they described as tone-deaf and out of step with the mood after the alleged attack on Haines.
Independent MP Monique Ryan said the speech ignored the shock and grief felt nationwide and turned the focus to partisan debate, calling it a "poor example" for communities.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastier warned against personal attacks in politics, urging colleagues to "play the ball, not the person" and to avoid the kind of partisan rhetoric he linked to U.S. politics.
Other parliamentarians, including independent Allegra Spender and Greens leader David Shoebridge, signed a civility pledge in Haines's honour, pledging to act with honesty, respect and compassion.
The Parliamentary Budget Office noted Haines as the only independent MP to have all her election commitments costed, highlighting her role in parliamentary accountability.
In related news, New South Wales announced a large-scale gun buy-back program and a biosecurity lockdown in the Sydney suburb of Enfield after fire ants were found at a freight centre.