Helen Haines is the independent federal representative for Indi, a north-east Victorian electorate extending to Wodonga near the New South Wales border.
First elected in 2019, Dr Haines succeeded another independent, Cathy McGowan, who had taken the seat from the Coalition in 2013 with the support of grassroots campaigners. Indi had previously been held by conservative parties for about 80 years.
McGowan endorsed Haines as her successor. Haines became the first independent to succeed another independent in Australia’s federal parliament and has retained Indi at the past two elections, with an 8 per cent margin.
Her parliamentary work has focused on climate change, regional services and healthcare. She has also campaigned for greater integrity and transparency in politics and played a significant role in efforts to establish a national anti-corruption body.
Before entering politics, Haines worked in healthcare for several decades as a nurse, midwife and health researcher. She published dozens of academic articles during her career.
Haines grew up on a dairy farm at Eurack in south-west Victoria. She has been married to her husband, Phil Haines, since 1986, and they have three children.
The couple live on a beef farm outside Wangaratta. Haines, 65, has been described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as “incredibly hardworking”.
