Australian leaders call for civility as Haines assault sparks debate and announce social media and lobby reforms

Australian leaders urged a shift to more civil political conversation after an assault on independent MP Helen Haines sparked nationwide concern. Defence Minister Richard Marles said politicians must lower the temperature of debate and treat each other with respect, noting that Haines would want that approach. Liberal Senator Anne Ruston added that robust debate can coexist with courtesy and that parliament sets the tone for the whole country. She warned against avoiding tough questions while insisting that accountability remains essential. Women’s Minister Katy Gallagher warned that online abuse towards politicians has surged, citing an ABC analysis that flagged nearly 5,000 threats and violent comments across the accounts of 22 Labor MPs and senators in three months. She singled out Facebook as the platform where abuse is most severe, while calling Instagram and TikTok problematic as well. The Victorian Greens announced an election commitment to create a statutory lobbyist register and to bar political donations from large corporate sectors, specifically gambling, fossil fuels and property developers. Ellen Sandell said such cash flows let corporations dictate policy at the expense of everyday Victorians. Victoria already caps donations at $7,500 and bans foreign contributions, but the current register has no real penalties; the Greens plan to strengthen enforcement. The Albanese government named former Rio Tinto executive Kellie Parker as national armaments director, heading a new independent defence delivery agency that will start next month to address cost overruns and weak project management. Defence Minister Pat Conroy highlighted Parker’s experience in changing tough, male‑dominated workplace cultures, citing similar appointments such as Lt Gen Susan Coyle, the first woman to lead the army. ## Context The calls for civility reflect rising concern over political violence and digital harassment, while the Greens’ reforms aim to curb corporate influence in state politics. The new defence role seeks to improve project outcomes after past failures.