Respect and safety in Australia’s democracy

By LGA South Australia President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross

I am deeply saddened by the horrific incident involving Dr Helen Haines, the Member for Indi. Our thoughts are with Helen, her family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.

It should not take a tragic and distressing incident like this to remind us that elected representatives at every level of government have the right to carry out their responsibilities and engage with their communities without fear of physical harm.

Our Members of Parliament, Mayors and Councillors live and work in the communities they serve.

The level of access we have to elected officials in our country is a strength of Australian democracy, and one we must protect, respect and never take for granted.

But everyone should be able to go to work, feel safe and return home safely.

We are seeing growing concerns about intimidation, verbal and physical harassment, and abuse both in person and online directed at civic leaders.

Politicians across South Australia have recounted many examples where they have been threatened in person, verbally abused while at their local shopping centres with their families, or been the target of vicious and personal attacks online.

I have heard many personal stories of intimidation, threats and violence toward Mayors and Councillors in this state.

This is not the standard we should accept.

Our democracy is built on the ability to debate ideas, challenge different views, disagree respectfully and hold those in power to account.

But a healthy democracy depends on more than the freedom to disagree. It also needs a measure of goodwill, that is, an acceptance that people with different views can still be acting in good faith.

When disagreement hardens, and political opponents are regarded as enemies, that goodwill starts to erode.

Over time, that erosion can weaken the trust on which our democracy depends.

Those of us in public leadership should think about the part we play in preserving it. So should those who report on politics and contribute to public debate.

We should be able to challenge decisions, question someone’s judgement and scrutinise their conduct without treating them as a person undeserving of respect.

Decency and civility should remain at the centre of public life. We can have strong differences of opinion but that shouldn’t resort to threats, intimidation or violence.

Everyone has a role to play in protecting these values, it is a shared responsibility.

At time when access to information is prolific, where each of us can contribute to debate, we should reflect on the words we choose, the material we share, and the way we engage with others.

We cannot allow threats to safety to discourage good, capable people from standing for public office.

Protecting accessibility to elected officials and valuing debate and scrutiny is a shared responsibility of all Australians and we need to take the safety of elected officials seriously.

For more information

For media requests, contact media@lga.sa.gov.au or 0476 853 689.