Steggall and Ryan condemn Angus Taylor’s hollow tribute to Helen Haines as words and violence remain dangerously linked
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Independent MPs Zali Steggall and Monique Ryan slammed opposition leader Angus Taylor for offering a tribute that, they said, failed to confront how parliamentary rhetoric can feed real-world violence after the alleged attack on independent MP Helen Haines.
Independent MP Zali Steggall said she was deeply disappointed by Angus Taylor’s tribute to Helen Haines, arguing that the opposition leader refused to recognise the obvious connection between political debate and community violence. Steggall told reporters that “there is a link between our words and actions” and urged politicians to accept responsibility for the consequences of their language far beyond the parliament chamber.
Monique Ryan backed that criticism, describing Taylor’s comments as “tone-deaf” and “hugely disappointing.” Ryan said leaders must listen to security experts who link political rhetoric to rising aggression and stressed that “if we can’t rise to the occasion now after something as unthinkable as what happened to Helen, we’ll never do that.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other officials also offered support to Haines, while the House of Representatives proceeded with question time in a sombre atmosphere following the alleged attack.