Helen Haines is fighting for her life. The fears of women in politics

Dr Helen Haines has been fighting for her life in a Melbourne hospital, after being hit by a car in an alleged attack in the MP’s electorate on Monday.

Already, the PM and MPs across all colours are calling this the turning point that must turn down the heat in political discourse.

But the incident also highlights what women in politics have been warning about: the uptick in abuse targeting women candidates and those already in office. Nine in 10 such women report online abuse, while female state and federal MPs have noted the death threats they’ve received in just the past few weeks.

Our thoughts are with Dr Haines who absolutely embodies the integrity she champions in parliament.

Also today: Marc Fennell describes the current moment as a “perfect storm” of social, cultural and technological change. He tells Tarla Lambert-Patel why the manosphere offers a cookie-cutter answer.

Too many pregnant women are still facing “sham redundancies”, as detailed in last night’s Four Corners. Now, a new report reveals just how it’s happening.

We speak to Mary Coustas – the comedian, entrepreneur and actress who played the iconic Effie character, about all things menopause. Here’s why she’s bringing such conversations to the masses and how she uses comedy to cope.

Plus, with 73,700 part-time jobs disappearing from the economy, it’s solo mums who bear the brunt of the rising unemployment rate.

Angela Priestley

Founding Editor & Publisher

Ricky Jefferies

Ricky Jefferies, a barber in Wangaratta, bravely pulled a man from his vehicle after it struck Independent MP Helen Haines in an alleged attack. “I had no choice but to take him out of the car because it was the right and safest thing to do.” Haines was allegedly rammed twice on Murphy Street in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon, and remains in a critical but stable condition on Tuesday morning. Jefferies said after getting the driver out of the car, he held the man down. His actions have been widely commended on Tuesday, including by Albanese, Burke and the mayor of Wangaratta, Irene Grant. “He was extraordinarily modest about the very brave action that he took yesterday … he did an amazing job,” she said.

The amount of part time jobs that no longer exist this year, according to jobs figures released last week, while full-time jobs rose by 34,400. The stats also described unemployment hitting 4.7 per cent, the highest since 2021, and what it means for interest rates. Everyone in Australia will feel the effects of this, but especially solo parents.

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health and Priceline Pharmacy are launching a 3-year partnership to give pharmacy teams across Australia evidence-based women’s health training and information

The partnership builds on work that began in 2025, when Jean Hailes developed menopause training for Priceline Pharmacy. More than 3,500 pharmacy team members have now completed the training and since then, their confidence in supporting women experiencing menopause has risen from 52% to 87%. Dr Sarah White, CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health says “Our menopause training showed what’s possible when pharmacy teams have trusted, evidence-based knowledge to draw on. This partnership lets us build on that success, so more women across Australia can get accurate information and support close to home, at every stage of life.”