Our first Civility Pledge signatory

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Compassion In Politics Australia welcomes the first signature to its Civility Pledge. Independent MP for Indi, in Victoria's north-east, Helen Haines has signed the pledge, which asks elected representatives to commit to a simple set of principles.

 

The CIPA Pledge reads:

 

"In my political life, I pledge to act with honesty, respect, and compassion."

 

The pledge is not a solution in itself — signing it is a first step toward more compassionate politics in Australia, whether local, state or federal.

 

We invite all politicians to join Ms Haines in signing and committing to its principles.

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We also invite the wider community — anyone who takes part in political debate and advocacy — to sign. If we expect politicians to change, some things about how we engage with them have to change too, not least the toxicity of how we talk to, and about, our elected representatives.

 

Ms Haines has signed as a federal independent, showing the pledge can cut across every level of government.

 

As Victoria enters the early stages of its state election campaign, and with divisions already surfacing in public debate, CIPA is calling on all candidates in the 2026 Victorian state election to sign the pledge and commit to its principles.