Victorian Premier Ben Carroll is considering extra security at polling booths at the state election following the alleged attack on independent federal MP Helen Haines.
Haines, 65, is in a critical but stable condition at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Police allege she was hit by a car in a targeted attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Oct. 19. A 43-year-old man has been charged with state and federal offences and will appear in court on Oct. 21.
Carroll said he reached out with his colleagues, including Liberal Leader Jess Wilson and Greens Leader Ellen Sandell in relation to the upcoming election in November.
“Just to reinforce that we are all going into a campaign, we are all in this together. And whether it be a volunteer wearing a red t-shirt or a blue t-shirt or a green t-shirt or an orange one, let’s just make sure that as leaders, their respect [for] civility is first and foremost,” he told the ABC.
The premier confirmed he was in “dialogue with the head of the Victorian electoral commission” in relation to security at the election, to be held on Nov. 28.
“Because I do know pre-polling volunteers, people that are volunteering their time just to do the right thing—I don’t want to see any form of hate or violence that occur during this campaign,” he added,” he said.
Pressed on whether polling booths would get extra security, Carroll indicated it was possible.
“Yeah look potentially, that is a conversation that is live at the moment. And I know the Victorian Electoral Commissioner, heads of Victoria Police, are turning their minds to that as I am too,” he said.
Carroll also described the violence against Haines as “completely unacceptable.”
“We’ve got to call it out. Politicians like anyone else go to work everyday like your local nurses, supermarket employees,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wilson confirmed she had spoken with the premier in relation to the incident and violence against politicians.
“We stand together in condemning this violence. Everyone has the right to speak freely, to serve their community, and to go about their life without fear,” she said.
“We must defend that right for each other, whatever our differences. We can disagree strongly and still recognise the humanity in the person we disagree with. It’s what makes Australia the greatest country.”
