The Helen Haines tragedy has shocked Australia. Its horrors highlight the crumbling foundations of our system | Tom McIlroy

For many, especially women in parliament and other positions of authority, the arrival of violence in Australian politics has been long expected Earlier that day, the attorney general announced the appointment of a new boss for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nacc), hopefully signalling an end to what has been a difficult foundational period for the watchdog. Haines was the one who forced the establishment of the Nacc on to the political agenda and helped craft its design and oversight.