Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece has spoken out about what he describes as a deeply troubling shift in Australian political life, following the attack on independent Indi MP Helen Haines.
Reece expressed serious concern about the rising temperature of political discourse in the country, warning that the climate surrounding public figures has reached a dangerous and alarming point.
The Lord Mayor's remarks reflect growing unease among Australian politicians about the safety and tone of public life, particularly for elected representatives operating outside the major parties.
Haines, who represents the Victorian seat of Indi, was the subject of an attack that has prompted wider discussion about the treatment of parliamentarians and the broader state of political debate in Australia.
