Australia politics live: MPs to pay tribute to Helen Haines as parliament resumes; Hanson says One Nation cartoons ‘not going anywhere’
Parliament plans tribute
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is due to address parliament on Monday about the alleged attack on Haines and its effects. He will invite other MPs to speak as the sitting week begins.
Independent MP Monique Ryan plans to speak in the lower house. She described Haines as “the parliament’s most gentle, principled and kind” member, and said those close to her would seek to honour her integrity and leadership.
Haines remains in hospital
Haines was hit by a four-wheel drive outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, a Victorian town, on 19 October. The incident is being treated as an alleged deliberate attack.
She has had both legs amputated and was still in hospital a week later. A fundraiser established by her family for Save the Children, instead of flowers, had received more than $1.2m by Sunday afternoon.
Hanson defends cartoon series
Pauline Hanson said One Nation’s Please Explain animation series would continue amid criticism of its depictions of politicians. She said the cartoons were unrelated to the attack on Haines and accused major-party politicians of wanting them censored.
Videos from 2023 and 2024 have resurfaced online. In one, Hanson drives a bus over Senator Lidia Thorpe; another shows former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews being struck by a car, followed by a suggestion that Anthony Albanese may also be hit.
Criticism and past cartoons
Shadow minister Ted O’Brien called the cartoons “not timely” in comments on News24. He said he had not watched them, but questioned whether they were appropriate in the current climate.
The series has also faced criticism over a cartoon calling Liberal MP Andrew Hastie a “traitor” and one mocking Jacqui Lambie’s health condition. Hanson previously defended those cartoons, then apologised to Lambie and said she had not seen the clip about her.
Key points
- Anthony Albanese is expected to invite MPs to speak about Haines on Monday.
- Haines was struck in Wangaratta on 19 October and remains in hospital.
- A family fundraiser for Save the Children had topped $1.2m by Sunday afternoon.
- Hanson says One Nation will not withdraw its controversial cartoon series.