I want to address the Member for Indi, Phil, their family, her staff, her constituents, from here as an honorary member of the crossbench.
It wasn't here that I became friends with the Member for Indi. It was in a place just up on Level 2 in what I would call the 'naughty corner', which was where our offices were in her first term. And there in that little corner she had created a small piece of Indi in the nation's capital. An office full of volunteers, flowers, cake and determination. And occasionally hosting morning teas for new members of the ‘naughty corner’ when the Coalition gave us newly demoted neighbours. It's that kindness that I saw every single day, which is why I can't comprehend what's happened to our friend. I've always admired the Member for Indi, even when she convinced the Prime Minister to amend one of my finely crafted bills. And despite the tragedy that we discuss today, I feel that her greatest contribution to this Parliament is yet to come.
She never wasted a day here. Just last sitting week she said this:
“It started with harsh, public mockery of quirky online posts.
It is a shocking backward step in the quest for equality for adolescents.
I'm talking about the "Bring Back Bullying" trend that is becoming popular on social media.”
She was reading the words of 13-year-old Davey from the Indi electorate. I share that because it reminds us of two truths: first, the challenge of this moment is not new; and second, it is not just politicians who endure hate, bullying and violence. And it's that violence that I want to address. Too much violent language. Too much violence in our communities and Australian homes. And, as our Parliament reflects our society, there is too much violence in our politics.
The Member for Indi has been one of the strongest voices for non-violence. Her words in this place just last month speak as clearly today.
“Domestic, family and sexual violence remains one of the most serious issues facing Australia.
In 2024-25 on average, one woman was killed every 11 days and one man every 26 days by an intimate partner.
This violence occurs right across Australia.”
I want for everyone here to have safety in their communities, not safety from their communities. And, put simply, I think we are all here, whatever our different beliefs, to fight for the Australian people, not to fight with them. And, like every workplace in Australia, everyone should go home safe every single day. Paramedics, shop assistants, nurses, teachers, truck drivers and, indeed, Members of Parliament and their staff. Because we want a society where people are safe at work, safe in their homes, safe in Northbridge, safe at places of worship and safe doing politics; otherwise, we see this attack on our democracy as an attack on our society as a whole. And I refuse to accept that we let violent people coerce any of us in how we do our democratic work. That coercion can make people fearful to volunteer. It can scare people from putting their hand up to run for Parliament, and that can't be the way that we run this nation we call Australia. And we can't allow it to define us.
We also can't ignore the fact that the vast, overwhelming majority of Australians are kind, compassionate, caring people. And, as we reflect on something very dark, we can also see the light and encourage others to shine that light. Celebrate the good in our democracy, including the ability to disagree well. Of course, tell your local Member of Parliament when they get it wrong, but tell them when they get it right as well.
I will end, Deputy Speaker, with the words of Helen reading the words of Davey:
“It is better if we are all feeling safe, than afraid.”
That's the world that this Parliament must continue to build. Not just for the member for Indi but for all Australians. Speaker, I commend the motion.