Live: Brendan Nugent to face court over alleged attack on MP Helen Haines

Helen Haines remains in critical condition after alleged attack

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Helen Haines, an independent MP for the Indi electorate, remains in a critical condition at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after being attacked outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.

The attack has sparked concerns about the safety of politicians and the tone of Australian politics. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has called for a more respectful approach to politics, saying that engaging directly with constituents is becoming increasingly difficult.

Marles emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of respect and grace in Australian politics, where people with different opinions can engage in robust debates while acknowledging each other's sincerity.

The incident has also drawn comparisons to the 2016 murder of UK MP Jo Cox, who was killed by a far-right extremist. Cox's sister, Kim Leadbeater, has expressed her devastation for Haines and her family, and has called for Australia to find common ground and change the way politics is practiced.

Leadbeater noted that her sister was brilliant at bringing people together and finding common ground, and she believes that Haines may possess similar qualities. She also expressed frustration that the tone of UK politics has not changed in the decade since her sister's murder.

The investigation into the attack on Haines is ongoing, and Brendan Nugent is set to face court over the alleged attack. The incident has sparked a national conversation about the safety of politicians and the need for a more respectful approach to politics.