One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has criticised Anthony Albanese, urging the Prime Minister to moderate his language and abandon Labor’s alleged “dirt files” after the Daily Mail reported that his office had circulated material targeting Helen Haines last month.
The independent member for Indi, in northern Victoria, remains in a critical condition after allegedly being struck twice by a Toyota LandCruiser driven by 43-year-old Brendan Nugent. It is alleged that Nugent first pinned Haines against her vehicle before reversing and hitting her again.
Following the incident, which has stunned the nation, Mr Albanese appealed for a cooler political climate. He praised Ms Haines’ character and integrity while warning against baseless claims about politicians’ motives.
The attack has prompted a rare display of unity across federal Parliament, but Senator Hanson broke ranks on Tuesday, accusing the Prime Minister and political leaders more broadly of contributing to a culture of hostility.
Her comments followed a report by Daily Mail political editor Peter van Onselen, who said Albanese’s office had recently circulated a briefing document to journalists questioning Haines’ integrity. The material was reportedly linked to her criticism of a $6 million government grant for a golf course in Marrickville, in Sydney’s inner west, which is located in the Prime Minister’s electorate.
Although Hanson said she remained deeply shocked and upset by what happened to Haines, she also used the moment to call for the Prime Minister to take responsibility for lowering the temperature of political debate.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has urged Anthony Albanese to soften the political rhetoric after the alleged attack on Helen Haines
The comments came after the Prime Minister, pictured on Tuesday, appealed for a less hostile political climate
“The dirt file Labor keeps on politicians who challenge the Albanese government and question what it is doing is wrong,” the senator told News24.
“For him to stand up today and describe her as such a wonderful person, well, Prime Minister, you need to look at your own actions and tone it down.
“I’m telling the Prime Minister: you tone it down.
“Put an end to the dirt files being used against parliamentarians, including my party, which I have to deal with constantly.
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“It starts at the top. You need to tone it down yourself.”
Senator Hanson also raised concerns about the safety of elected representatives, saying she and colleagues had recently received hate mail and death threats.
“Given what is happening in our country, I blame our leaders, whether they are state premiers or the Prime Minister,” she said.
She also condemned protest activity and threatening slogans displayed at demonstrations, including regular marches in London.
Independent Indi MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after losing a leg
Helen Haines was flown to Melbourne after allegedly being struck by a vehicle outside her office on Monday
“The division and hatred being carried through our streets by radicals, and by some university students, is deeply concerning,” Hanson said.
Hanson paid tribute to Haines, describing the independent MP as “a beautiful woman.”
‘We may have differences with politics, but for this to happen to her and be in a critical condition, I’m really quite upset by this,’ she said.
‘My thoughts are with the community, with the family, and with the staff.
‘So many Australians are just upset to hear this has happened to Helen.’
READ MORE: How Anthony Albanese’s office shopped around a baseless ‘dirt sheet’ about Helen Haines just weeks ago