Political hate speech can have real-word fallout. After the alleged attack on Helen Haines, our leaders must act | Paul Daley

Social media amplify the worst excesses of what passes for public discourse, while some media outlets foment polarisation If the increasingly vituperative tenor of our public discourse, online and verbal, has fully trailed America’s into the murky dungeon of political violence with the appalling alleged attack on Helen Haines, Australia’s political class has only itself to blame. Amid outpourings of concern from across the political spectrum (including from people who have fostered considerable vicious personal animus online and in the parliament) for the gravely injured and much-respected member for Indi, it is blindingly evident that the political square has long been utterly incapable of self-regulation.

There are no consequences for the abuse hurled across the chambers by Australia’s elected representatives beyond brief parliamentary suspension amid the invariably blokey guffaws. There are no consequences for political operatives here – students of the US experts of weaponising political hatred – who pursue their opponents