Albanese seemed close to tears in TV interviewpublished at 10:12 BST
10:12 BST
Simon Atkinson
Australia reporter
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese became emotional as he talked about Helen Haines in a live television interview on ABC’s 730.
The PM appeared close to tears when he was asked whether he and his colleagues talk among themselves about the threats and risks they face.
“Yes,” he replied, adding: “My concern at this point in time is for one, one of my colleagues.”
He described Helen Haines as having “integrity”.
“She’s someone who is very passionate about her community. She’s someone who’s not shy about coming forward, about what she thinks that community needs.”
Albanese added: “I don’t want to see a political system in which you can’t have conversations with people at the supermarket, in the street, at street meetings, public forums.
“That’s the important part of our democracy.
“I think there has been a rise in temperature. And there has been too much shouting, not enough discourse. Not enough polite conversation and disagreement.
“And in a democracy, we should be able to have discussion, political debate, put different views, but do it in a way that is respectful.”
Image source, EPAImage caption,
The Australian prime minister, pictured last month