Parliament will mark a solemn start to the sitting week as politicians pay tribute to independent MP Helen Haines, who was rammed by a vehicle outside her electoral office.
The popular crossbencher was allegedly targeted in a deliberate attack when she was struck by a four-wheel drive on the main street of the Victorian town of Wangaratta on October 19.
She had both legs amputated and remains in hospital a week after the incident.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver a speech to parliament on Monday, reflecting on the alleged assault and its impact, and invite colleagues to do the same.
Fellow independent MP Monique Ryan described Dr Haines as the parliament’s “most gentle, principled and kind” member ahead of her planned remarks in the lower house.
“People who love her will try to do justice to Helen’s integrity and leadership,” she said.
“I hope that all members will rise to the occasion as Helen would do were she with us.
“We’ll feel her absence deeply.”
A fundraiser for charity Save the Children, set up on Wednesday by Dr Haine’s family in lieu of flowers, had surpassed $1.2 million in donations by Sunday afternoon.
Contributions have flowed from across the nation, including from Labor backbencher and fellow Victorian Jodie Belyea.
“To you and yours Helen. Stay strong. You are in our thoughts and prayers,” Ms Belyea said on behalf of her electorate of Dunkley.
Labor’s digital duty of care bill, aimed at curbing harmful content online and stamping out predatory behaviour from platforms, will be debated in the lower house later in the week.
The government aims to pass the legislation before the end of the year, but opponents argue it could result in political censorship.
The government has pointed to the alleged attack and rising threats toward leaders as examples of why greater action is needed against online harms.
Authorities are still investigating potential motivations for the incident, but the man accused of ramming Dr Haines with his vehicle, Brendan Nugent, posted prolifically on social media about political issues.
Senators will also brace for the first week of estimates hearings in five months.
The company responsible for the embattled Snowy Hydro 2.0 project will face a grilling on Monday over another cost blow-out that could lift the project’s price tag to $25 billion.
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