\u201cdirt file\u201d which questioned Ms Haines\u2019 integrity prior to her attack on Monday.<\/a><\/p>\nMs Haines was struck outside her office, and Mr Albanese has since called for people to \u201cturn the temperature down\u201d and be respectful.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister has described her in glowing terms, saying she is “much admired” and full of “integrity”.<\/p>\n
Yet, News24.com.au has since acquired the dirt sheet his office edited, which questions her integrity and her advocacy for local projects.<\/p>\n
The document shows that Mr Albanese\u2019s Deputy Director of Communications had edited the document.<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese did not deny his office created the document when asked by News24.com.au, refusing to explain or apologise for its contents.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Helen Haines is a strong advocate for her community, and she advocates for funding,” Mr Albanese said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Just as the Coalition made more than 1,000 commitments worth $1.64 billion dollars during the election campaign.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The secret file called into question Ms Haines’ integrity, including whether she had received wine or gifts in exchange for political donations.<\/p>\n
It also listed various public funding requests Ms Haines had made for her electorate, and questioned if she had any private interests in them.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I’m not (aware of it), and I’m not \u2013 on a day when my colleague and friend\u2019s fighting for life in hospital \u2013 going to go down political rabbit holes,\u201d Mr Hill said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can talk about that kind of stuff if they want. But that is not my focus today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles also declined to discuss the dirt file when asked about the allegations on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s about pointing fingers, it\u2019s about all of us taking responsibility,\u201d Mr Marles told Nine\u2019s Today.<\/p>\n
Mr Marles praised Ms Haines as a wonderful parliamentarian and described Mr Albanese as a politician who engaged in public debate \u201cwith grace\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been the Prime Minister who\u2019s led the call on turning the temperature down,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese has repeatedly called for a more respectful political debate following the alleged attack on the Indi MP.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need less shouting and more discussion,\u201d Mr Albanese told News24 earlier on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether Labor was the main offender when it came to political rhetoric, Mr Albanese said no side was immune.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the particular abuse directed at women in politics, including threats of sexual violence.<\/p>\n
Mr Albanese said women in Labor\u2019s caucus had held a meeting the previous day because they were particularly shaken by the events involving Ms Haines.<\/p>\n
A security briefing involving parliamentarians from across the political spectrum and security agencies was also scheduled for Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not denied his office circulated a secret “dirt file” on Helen Haines 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