Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refuses to explain or apologise over secret Helen Haines ‘dirt file’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not denied his office circulated a secret “dirt file” on Helen Haines and has failed to apologise, despite calling for more respectful political debate in Australia.

It comes after revelations Mr Albanese’s office circulated a “dirt file” which questioned Ms Haines’ integrity prior to her attack on Monday.

Ms Haines was struck outside her office, and Mr Albanese has since called for people to “turn the temperature down” and be respectful.

The Prime Minister has described her in glowing terms, saying she is “much admired” and full of “integrity”.

Yet, News24.com.au has since acquired the dirt sheet his office edited, which questions her integrity and her advocacy for local projects.

The document shows that Mr Albanese’s Deputy Director of Communications had edited the document.

Mr Albanese did not deny his office created the document when asked by News24.com.au, refusing to explain or apologise for its contents.

Asked whether he authorised his office to create or distribute the document, Mr Albanese dodged the question, saying: “Helen Haines is a good local member.”

“She put forward applications like other members do for grants, and that’s what good local members do. Helen Haines is a very strong advocate for her community.”

Mr Albanese was pressed on whether his office sent out the dirt file, and whether he regretted it given recent events and his calls for respectful politics. 

“Helen Haines is a strong advocate for her community, and she advocates for funding,” Mr Albanese said. 

“Just as the Coalition made more than 1,000 commitments worth $1.64 billion dollars during the election campaign.”

The secret file called into question Ms Haines’ integrity, including whether she had received wine or gifts in exchange for political donations.

It also listed various public funding requests Ms Haines had made for her electorate, and questioned if she had any private interests in them.

Earlier, Labor MP Julian Hill told News24.com.au on Wednesday he would not be drawn into the dirt file controversy while Ms Haines remained in hospital.

“No, I’m not (aware of it), and I’m not – on a day when my colleague and friend’s fighting for life in hospital – going to go down political rabbit holes,” Mr Hill said.

“People can talk about that kind of stuff if they want. But that is not my focus today.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles also declined to discuss the dirt file when asked about the allegations on Wednesday.

“I don’t think it’s about pointing fingers, it’s about all of us taking responsibility,” Mr Marles told Nine’s Today.

Mr Marles praised Ms Haines as a wonderful parliamentarian and described Mr Albanese as a politician who engaged in public debate “with grace”.

“It has been the Prime Minister who’s led the call on turning the temperature down,” he said.

Mr Albanese has repeatedly called for a more respectful political debate following the alleged attack on the Indi MP.

“We need less shouting and more discussion,” Mr Albanese told News24 earlier on Tuesday.

In a separate interview with ABC Radio National on Wednesday, Mr Albanese defended his calls to lower the temperature, but did not discuss the dirt file.

“I don’t think it diminishes the message to say that people engage in politics, and all of us from time to time can engage in partisan ways,” he said.

“We have a Westminster system that’s very competitive … But it is the case across the board that we all have a responsibility to turn the temperature down.”

Asked whether Labor was the main offender when it came to political rhetoric, Mr Albanese said no side was immune.

“I don’t think anyone is immune from that message. My side, every side included, we all have to recognise that politics has got more aggressive,” he said.

He also highlighted the particular abuse directed at women in politics, including threats of sexual violence.

Mr Albanese said women in Labor’s caucus had held a meeting the previous day because they were particularly shaken by the events involving Ms Haines.

A security briefing involving parliamentarians from across the political spectrum and security agencies was also scheduled for Wednesday morning.