Haines attack must be a turning point in political tone

SENDING love and support to Dr Helen Haines and her family, the political community and regional leaders, South Gippsland Shire councillor Sarah Gilligan declared the attack on the Member for Indi must spark change.

“It needs to be a turning point for the tone of politics in Australia,” she said, noting that, “As councillors we are out and about engaging, we are regional people living in our communities just as Helen was.

“Tone is everything and words are weapons; that is the start.”

While a motive has not so far been outlined in relation to the man accused of deliberately targeting Dr Haines with his vehicle, Cr Gilligan told the Sentinel-Times of the impact such violence, and threats in general, have on women, including those in politics.

She stressed that women shouldn’t have to pick their fights being mindful of their safety.

During her speech in the council chamber, Cr Gilligan highlighted the hostility directed at councillors and council staff everywhere.

“Every council it seems, has a hateful eight, a dedicated group of usually men determined to uncover evil plots and corruption,” she said.

Cr Gilligan elaborated that the members of such groups throw accusations at council and councillors, weigh in on social media, obsess over things and waste officers’ time and ratepayer money.

She said something needs to change and that old school bully boy banter, casual misogyny and veiled sexual threats must end.

“Social media has dehumanised us and it has to stop,” Cr Gilligan stressed.

She told those with a hateful eight mentality to back off, saying it is hard enough standing up for your community without such attitudes.

Other councillors, John Schelling, Clare Williams, Bron Beach and Brad Snell spoke after Cr Gilligan, expressing support for her demand for change.

Describing the Haines incident as “horrific and abhorrent”, Mayor Nathan Hersey spoke of the potential impact on democracy.

“Our democracy works because we all have access to our elected representatives at Local, State and Federal level,” Cr Hersey said, adding such access and its benefits are under threat.

“Having worked as a staff member for Federal Members of Parliament and as a councillor, I’m abundantly aware that the threat is there, and I’ve received threats personally in both of those roles,” he said.