Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says parliamentarians can engage in “robust” debate without meanness or cruelty as MPs are urged to consider signing a civility pledge which had been backed solely by Helen Haines before she was attacked last week.
She told Seven’s Sunrise this morning that the attack on Haines had to be “a turning point” in how politics was done in Australia.
“It is really possible to have strong debate about issues without any censorship, and not be mean, and not be cruel, and not inflame things,” Plibersek said.
She said it was incumbent on everyone in every sector to consider how they could be more decent to the people around them.
“It’s not just about politicians, of course it’s not. What we’re hearing is that teachers and principals and shop assistants and flight attendants and the kids who are reffing sport on the weekend are being abused just for doing their jobs. Surely, all of us have a role to play.
“In your own behaviour, as you’re going about your business, as you’re walking into a shop, or you’re getting impatient when you, you know, waiting in a queue for too long, just think: Can I do this better? Can I be kinder to the people around me?”
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