Speaker Pat Weir has called on Queensland politicians to stop using inflammatory language and peddling false narratives in the wake of the attack on Helen Haines.
Parliament opened with the speech on Tuesday, as Weir paid tribute to the seriously injured Victorian MP and said political debate in the Sunshine State had become overly personal and vitriolic.
“When public debate becomes increasingly hostile, personal or dehumanising, it risks undermining respect for others and confidence in our democratic institutions,” Weir told the state’s representatives.
“The tone of that public discourse, especially on social media, can lead individuals either infected by hatred or extremism, or affected by mental illness, to horrific actions.”
The Speaker said in the past sitting week of Queensland’s parliament there had been 24 withdrawals required for personal reflections, four required for unparliamentary language, and at least one false allegation made against a member, as well as disrespect of the chair.
“The quarrelling across the chamber is incessant,” he added.
“The interjections, with no point other than to stir members on the other side, is widespread.
“There are many members on both sides of this house that, on a regular basis, misuse broadcast to parliament, distort the actual proceedings, and inflame public feelings for base political advantage.
“The serious allegations that are hurled across this chamber, in this house, about other members, and the peddling of false narratives increases each week.
“It is time to reset. It is time to start respecting each other.
“By all means, disagree on issues, but start to respect each other and this institution.”