Live: Crossbenchers back call for MPs to sign civility pledge

As parliament returns without Helen Haines, federal MPs are encouraged to sign a civility pledge that the independent MP backed.

Follow all the updates in our live blog.

One Nation's Barnaby Joyce is concerned an attempt to tone down political debate could cross into censorship.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett drew a direct link between inflamed political rhetoric and a rise in threats in an interview with ABC's Insiders yesterday.

Speaking with Seven this morning, Joyce said MPs shouldn't have to be warned in the first place.

"I think we shouldn't be in that space to start off with," he says.

"What I always worry about when these things start heading towards censorship. Because censorship is a huge problem for Australia. It's a huge problem for democracy.

"You can do two things at the same time ... tone down what you do without bringing about censorship."

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek, who was also on the panel, thinks the AFP boss should be listened to.

"I think you can have strong and robust debate without being mean or cruel," she says.

"If the Australian Federal Police and ASIO are both saying we need to change the way we're having political debates in this country because they are inflaming things and I think we can listen to that."

A warning from the AFP commissioner about the direct link between political rhetoric and an increase in violent threats is a timely reminder, independent Kate Chaney says.

"Words matter and what we do matters," she tells ABC's Radio National Breakfast.

Chaney says she'd like for the parliamentary code of conduct to apply also to behaviour in the chamber.

"I think we can still have robust debate and focus on the issue and hold each other to account while also being respectful and civil and surely that's something that we can manage," she says.

Independent MP Kate Chaney joined the ABC's Radio National Breakfast this morning.

She was wearing an orange blazer with a cockatoo broach on her lapel as a gesture of support for independent MP Helen Haines.

Federal MPs are being asked to sign a civility pledge. Haines was the first to sign it two months ago.

Chaney says she'll be adding her name to the list.

"This is very much an optional thing. There's no pressure on MPs to do this. I think there's something really symbolic about the fact that Helen was the only federal MP to have signed this, the first," she said.

"It is a very simple thing. It just says: in my political life, I pledge to act with honesty, respect and compassion.

"And that feels to me like a simple and poignant way to honour the contribution Helen's made to the parliament and continue to try to embody those values that she personifies in the way that I do my work in parliament."

Parliament returns today with one of its most respected members missing, as MPs reconvene in Canberra without Helen Haines.

Security has been strengthened at Parliament House after a car struck the independent MP outside her Wangaratta electorate office in what police are treating as a deliberate attack.

The 65-year-old mother of three, admired across the political divide for her integrity, has had both legs amputated after suffering severe injuries to her lower body.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to move a motion in the House of Representatives that would set aside much of the day for MPs to offer messages of support.

Haines's seat will be empty at Question Time, with fellow crossbenchers pledging to carry forward her leadership example as parliament grapples with ways to approach security in their respective communities.

Hello friends. Welcome to our politics live blog. I'm Courtney Gould from the ABC's Parliament House team, here to guide you through the day.

MPs have returned to Canberra for another sitting week. Things will look a little different today in the lower house as the prime minister is expected to move a motion in the House of Representatives that would set aside much of the day for MPs to offer messages of support.

Meanwhile, bureaucrats and senators are lining up for another round of budget estimates.

Grab a cup of coffee and get settled in. Let's get blogging.