Politicians say more security would ‘let bad people win’ after alleged attack on Helen Haines: ‘We don’t want to be locked off’

Despite the horrific injuries sustained by the Indi MP, public figures say they must not hide themselves away from voters behind guards Follow our live blog for latest updates Helen Haines loses leg as surgeons fight to save the other Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Crossbench MPs have a saying among themselves: “What would Helen do?” It’s a phrase they have worn on T-shirts and shared online – and it’s a question they asked each other and key government figures on Tuesday, a day after the Indi MP, Helen Haines, was struck twice by a car outside her office, losing her leg in an allegedly targeted attack.

But even as a reckoning brews about balancing the accessibility of politicians with safety in public life – and whether increasing threats to government officials will discourage people from seeking office – distraught and angry MPs say they don’t want greater security or guards that distance them from their constituents.

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