Federal MP Helen Haines' first thoughts were for the bystanders who rushed to help moments after waking up from the alleged attack that left her fighting for life.
The independent MP for Indi in north-east Victoria remains in Melbourne's The Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition after losing both her legs in the horrific incident outside her office in Wangaratta last Monday.
All sides of parliament united in paying tribute to Haines on Monday, where her husband of 40 years Phil watched on from the gallery.
Fellow crossbencher Allegra Spender revealed Haines' first words after she woke up from the alleged attack, adding that it 'speaks to the character of who you are'.
'Phil told us about your first words since when you woke up after the attack, and said that your first concerns when you woke were for your staff and gratitude to your first the first responders, nurses, and bystanders,' she said.
'People have spoken about your empathy and grace, and they deserve recognition.
'But I think it paints a sort of picture of you as a sort of benign force wandering through the parliament.
'What I will say is that you are also a force for change.'
The first words Helen Haines said after waking up from the alleged attack have been revealed
Fellow crossbencher Allegra Spender fought back tears during the tributes to Helen Haines in parliament on Monday
A orange cut-out of a cockatoo was placed on Haines' seat by her good friend and fellow independent MP Zali Stegall
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins agreed, adding it was 'not a surprise to any of us who know her'.
'After everything that she has been through, she was thinking of others,' Collins said.
A orange cut-out of a cockatoo was placed on Haines' empty seat by fellow independent MP Zali Steggall, who described her good friend as the matriarch of the crossbench.
The bird was a touching nod to Haines, who previously described her army of volunteers as 'a flock of cockatoos'.
Many MPs from all sides of parliament wore baby's breath flowers or orange - the colour of Haines' political camapign.
Steggall and Spender was among the many MPs seen visibly distraught on Monday as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the outpouring of tributes in parliament.
'The shock from what happened last Monday is like a stone in our hearts,' he told the chamber.
'What brings it home today is being back in this chamber on what should have been an ordinary sitting day and looking across at the member for Indi's seat over there, hoping and looking forward to the day in which she's back here, representing the community that she loves.
'Her capacity to do it all with such heart and such unrelenting advocacy is, in its own way, a reminder that she has served in far tougher places than this.
Helen Haines' staff will reopen her electorate offices later this week
Crossbenchers Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan, Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall were visibly distraught when parliament sat for the first time since the alleged attack on Helen Haines
'As a former nurse and a midwife, her rich personal background is something that she has brought to this chamber.
'It is hard to think of anyone in this place with a more irrepressible twinkle in the eye, a twinkle that more than hints at a real inner strength.'
Albanese also recalled a private conversation he had with Haines' husband earlier on Monday.
'This morning Phil spoke lovingly of Helen's superpowers as empathy, kindness and compassion,' he said
'He spoke of hope and change and the need for a gentler, more cohesive path.
'I want Phil to know that we are with him and Helen and with their children and their grandchildren, and will remain with them.'
The tributes come as Haines' staff prepare to reopen her electorate offices later this week.
'As Helen takes the time she needs to recover, we will take time to look after ourselves and one another, too,' a statement from her office read.
'Healing will take time, and we ask for your understanding as we navigate the days and weeks ahead.
'Thank you for your kindness, patience, and care for Helen, her family and our team. It means more than words will ever convey.'
A donation page set up in Haines' honour has raised almost $1.3million for Save the Children in recent days.