Man in court over alleged ‘targeted’ attack on Australian lawmaker– www.channelnewsasia.com

WORLD “MORE DANGEROUS”

The independent lawmaker, 65, was standing near the trunk of her car when she was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser on Monday afternoon.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led an outpouring of support for Haines, who was widely praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and crack down on corruption.

He bemoaned the fact that political debate in Australia had grown too heated and personal over the past few years.

“It’s a reminder that the world is a more dangerous and divided place than it was a generation ago,” Albanese told ABC Melbourne radio on Wednesday.

“I think that Australians do want to see their politicians be able to go about their business, to be able to get something from the back of their car, for goodness sake,” he said.

Australia’s spy agency chief Mike Burgess warned following the alleged attack that “elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence”.

Haines entered parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife, becoming known for stances such as supporting stronger climate action.