Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after being struck by a four-wheel-drive outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, north-east Victoria. A 43-year-old local man was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the incident appeared to have been deliberate. Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, the domestic intelligence agency ASIO and a joint counter-terrorism team are involved in the investigation.
What happened in the Helen Haines attack?
Ms Haines had returned to her office after attending a sod-turning event in Mansfield when she was hit by a white Toyota LandCruiser at about 3.35pm on Monday.
Witnesses told Australian broadcasters that she was near her own vehicle and became pinned between two cars. Police said the driver was detained by witnesses at the scene, where officers also recovered a knife from inside the vehicle.
Ms Haines was taken by ambulance to Northeast Health Wangaratta before being airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne. Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason confirmed that she had suffered critical injuries.
Mr Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it was too early to establish a motive. “We’re still very early in the investigation, but importantly, someone is in custody,” Mr Burke said.
Police said the suspect was from Tarrawingee, about 12 kilometres east of Wangaratta. Investigators were examining his background and were expected to interview him.
Victoria Police said there was currently no indication that the man and Ms Haines knew one another. The incident was being treated as isolated, with no continuing threat to the wider community.
Major collision investigators, along with Victoria’s crime and counter-terrorism command, were assisting with the examination of what police described as an extensive crime scene.
Who is Helen Haines?
Ms Haines, 65, has represented the federal seat of Indi since 2019. The north-east Victorian electorate extends to Wodonga, near the New South Wales border.
Before entering politics, she worked as a nurse, midwife and health researcher. She grew up on a dairy farm in south-west Victoria and now lives with her husband, Phil, on a beef farm outside Wangaratta.
Ms Haines succeeded independent MP Cathy McGowan, who had won Indi in 2013 with support from grassroots campaigners. Ms Haines has retained the seat at the two elections since, with an eight per cent margin.
She has campaigned on climate action, regional healthcare and improved political integrity, and was involved in efforts to establish a national anti-corruption body.
Describing her as “an incredibly hardworking MP”, Mr Albanese said Ms Haines was “fiercely intelligent” and “a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity, respected right across the parliament”.
