Crossbenchers Reject Taylor's Defense of Parliamentary Debate

Angus Taylor faces fresh criticism from two crossbench MPs over his remarks regarding the alleged attack on Helen Haines.

Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall described the opposition leader's speech as tone deaf. They argued he failed to read the room while the House of Representatives resumed its session on Monday.

The debate comes one week after Haines, the member for Indi, lost both legs in an incident outside her electorate office in northern Victoria. Police have charged a 43-year-old man with the attack. Investigators continue to probe the case, though they have not yet disclosed any established motive.

In his address, Taylor rejected the notion that intense parliamentary behavior feeds political violence. He stated that the Westminster system exists to settle differences through rigorous debate rather than force. Taylor argued that those who resort to intimidation or violence cross a line that should never be crossed. He also urged judges to punish those found guilty of such acts more severely.

Steggall, the independent member for Warringah who sits beside Haines, said she was personally disappointed in the speech. She noted a direct link between words and actions. Steggall said Taylor had not grasped the lesson Haines would want people to learn. She extended that standard to media reporting, election advertising, and social media.

On Monday, Steggall spoke with Phil Haines, Haines's husband. He asked MPs to raise the bar so that a meaningful shift toward respectful debate occurs by the time Helen Haines returns to parliament. Steggall emphasized that words matter and have an impact, even when people disagree respectfully.

Ryan, the independent member for Kooyong, called the response hugely disappointing. She told ABC TV that if Taylor does not believe words matter, it is unclear how he aspires to lead a political party. Ryan argued that if parliament cannot rise to the occasion after such an event, it never will.