Federal MP Helen Haines’ first thoughts were not for herself, but for the bystanders who rushed to help after she woke from the alleged attack that left her fighting for her life.
The independent member for Indi, in north-east Victoria, remains in a serious but stable condition at Melbourne’s The Alfred Hospital after losing both legs in the horrific incident outside her Wangaratta office last Monday.
Members from across the political spectrum united in paying tribute to Ms Haines in parliament on Monday, as her husband of 40 years, Phil, watched from the gallery.
Fellow crossbench MP Allegra Spender revealed Ms Haines’ first words after regaining consciousness, saying they “speak to the character of who you are”.
“Phil told us about your first words since you woke up after the attack, and said that your first concerns were for your staff, along with gratitude to the first responders, nurses and bystanders,” she said.
“People have spoken about your empathy and grace, and they deserve recognition.
“But I think it paints a sort of picture of you as a benign force wandering through parliament.
“What I will say is that you are also a force for change.”
Helen Haines’ first words after waking from the alleged attack have been revealed
Fellow crossbench MP Allegra Spender fought back tears during Monday’s parliamentary tributes to Helen Haines
An orange cut-out of a cockatoo was placed on Haines’ seat by her close friend and fellow independent MP Zali Steggall
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins agreed, saying the response was “not a surprise to any of us who know her”.
“After everything that she has been through, she was thinking of others,” Ms Collins said.
An orange cockatoo cut-out was placed on Haines’ empty seat by fellow independent MP Zali Steggall, who described her close friend as the matriarch of the crossbench.
The bird was a poignant tribute to Ms Haines, who has previously described her army of volunteers as “a flock of cockatoos”.
Ms Steggall and Ms Spender were among the many MPs visibly distraught on Monday, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the parliamentary tributes.
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“The shock from what happened last Monday is like a stone in our hearts,” he told the chamber.
“What brings it home today is being back in this chamber on what should have been an ordinary sitting day and looking across at the member for Indi’s seat over there, hoping and looking forward to the day when she is back here, representing the community that she loves.
“Her capacity to do it all with such heart and such unrelenting advocacy is, in its own way, a reminder that she has served in far tougher places than this.”
Helen Haines’ electorate office staff will reopen her offices later this week
Crossbenchers Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan, Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall were visibly distraught when parliament sat for the first time since the alleged attack on Helen Haines
‘As a former nurse and a midwife, her rich personal background is something that she has brought to this chamber.
‘It is hard to think of anyone in this place with a more irrepressible twinkle in the eye, a twinkle that more than hints at a real inner strength.’
Albanese also recalled a private conversation he had with Haines’ husband earlier on Monday.
‘This morning Phil spoke lovingly of Helen’s superpowers as empathy, kindness and compassion,’ he said
‘He spoke of hope and change and the need for a gentler, more cohesive path.
‘I want Phil to know that we are with him and Helen and with their children and their grandchildren, and will remain with them.’
The tributes come as Haines’ staff prepare to reopen her electorate offices later this week.
‘As Helen takes the time she needs to recover, we will take time to look after ourselves and one another, too,’ a statement from her office read.
‘Healing will take time, and we ask for your understanding as we navigate the days and weeks ahead.
‘Thank you for your kindness, patience, and care for Helen, her family and our team. It means more than words will ever convey.’
A donation page set up in Haines’ honour has raised almost $1.3million for Save the Children in recent days.