Politics · Australia · 2 hrs ago
Attack on Helen Haines prompts calls for more civil debate
Australian MP Helen Haines was critically injured in an attack, and lost both her legs.
The attack has prompted a national discussion about civility, respect and social cohesion.
At Monash University, academics Daniel Heller and Farid Zaid lead the Brave Conversations Project, which helps people discuss differences.
The project has now held 100 workshops on topics including climate, politics, reproductive ethics and artificial intelligence.
Its approach encourages people to notice strong emotions, pause and choose how to respond.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn has urged Australians to be more decent in public debate, saying words matter.
A study of social cohesion in Australia is due next month, offering a snapshot of public attitudes and behaviour.
An attack on MP Helen Haines has prompted a national conversation in Australia about civility, respect and social cohesion.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said she and Haines had discussed the state of public and political discourse two weeks earlier.
Mostyn urged Australians to show greater decency and kindness in how they disagree.
Researchers from Monash University’s Brave Conversations Project say people can learn to discuss difficult issues across their differences.
Scanlon Foundation Research Institute CEO Anthea Hancocks said most people value respect but some find disagreement difficult.
- Who
- MP Helen Haines was attacked. Governor-General Sam Mostyn, researchers and social cohesion experts have called for more civil debate.
- What
- The attack prompted calls for greater civility, respect and social cohesion.
- When
- The attack happened on Monday; the sources do not state the date.
- Where
- The sources do not state where the attack happened.
- Why
- The attack prompted a national conversation about civility and social cohesion. The sources do not state a motive for the attack.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sam Mostyn and Helen Haines discussed the state of public and political discourse.
An attack on Haines prompted a national conversation about civility and social cohesion.
Mostyn spoke at a press conference at The Alfred hospital, where Haines was in critical condition after losing both her legs.
The Scanlon Foundation Research Institute is due to release findings from its annual study into social cohesion in Australia.
- Person
- Helen Haines, MP
- Condition
- Critical; she had lost both her legs
- Project
- Brave Conversations Project, a Monash University initiative
- Workshops
- 100 workshops completed by the project
- Research
- Scanlon Foundation Research Institute’s annual social cohesion study is due next month
What people are saying
Words matter. Whether spoken or in written form or, increasingly, in the virtual world.
Australians are yearning for kindness and care, and they're asking us why we've lost the great skill of disagreeing well and with decency to each other.
In our age of polarisation, it can often be very, very challenging to distinguish between someone who says, 'I dispute your view', and someone who is saying, 'I am attacking you, I dispute your very right to exist'
But I think for some people disagreeing well is really hard work.