Prime minister leads emotional tribute to Helen Haines
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led an emotional parliamentary tribute to Indi MP Helen Haines, saying the shock caused by the alleged attack on the independent MP sits “like a stone in our hearts”.
Federal parliamentarians returned to Canberra on Monday for the first sitting since Haines suffered catastrophic injuries after she was struck by a four-wheel drive outside her Wangaratta electorate office a week ago.
Albanese moved a motion to suspend parliamentary business for the day so colleagues could offer messages of support for Haines, who remains in hospital in Melbourne after both her legs were amputated.
The silhouette of a cockatoo was placed on Haines’ chair by her friend and fellow independent MP Zali Steggall. Many MPs wore orange heart lapels, while some held back tears as they paid tribute to Haines.
“Today, being back in this chamber on what should have been an ordinary day, looking across at the member for Indi’s seat over there, and hoping and looking forward to the day in which she’s back here,” Albanese said.
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