Crossbench MPs call Taylor's speech on Haines attack "tone deaf"

Independent MPs Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall have criticised opposition leader Angus Taylor's speech responding to the alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines, calling it "tone deaf". Both are members of the crossbench, the MPs who sit outside the major parties.

Haines, who is 65, was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her electorate office in northern Victoria. The Guardian reports that the alleged attack led to her losing both legs. A 43-year-old man has been charged over the incident, which remains under investigation. ABC News has identified the accused as Brendan Nugent and reported that it could be close to four months before he faces court again.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as "no accident" in the days after it happened, according to PBS NewsHour. Parliament returned in Canberra on Monday, one week after the alleged attack.

Ryan, the Kooyong MP, called Taylor's speech "hugely disappointing". Steggall, the Warringah MP, who sits beside Haines in the House of Representatives, said she was personally disappointed. Both said Taylor did not "read the room".

Taylor, the Member for Hume in New South Wales, rejected calls to change parliamentary practice in order to cool the country's political debate. He said he disagrees that there is a causal connection between robust parliamentary debate and political violence. He also said judges should "come down harder" on people found guilty of intimidation or violence.

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce also rejected calls to change parliamentary practice to address the tone of political debate. He said a change to question time, the daily session in the House where MPs put questions to ministers, was highly unlikely to change Australia.