Australian MP Helen Haines is in critical condition after being struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, on Monday, October 19, with a 43-year-old man arrested at the scene.
The 65-year-old independent member for Indi was hit by a white Toyota LandCruiser shortly before 4pm on October 19, according to Victoria Police. She was taken to hospital with critical injuries as authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an alleged attack and confirmed that a joint counterterrorism team had been activated. He said he had been briefed by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett, while the motive remained unknown.
“We are praying for her full recovery. I want to thank the first responders for their extraordinary work,” Albanese said.
He described Haines as a “thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the parliament”.
Victoria Police said a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee was arrested by a passerby after exiting the vehicle. Officers also located and seized a knife from inside the Toyota.
Police are investigating whether the incident was intentional and whether Haines and the suspect knew each other. Authorities have not confirmed a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The involvement of counterterrorism authorities does not mean the incident has been formally established as terrorism-related.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the investigation was in its early stages. He also highlighted an increase in reported harassment and threats against people in high office, saying the number rose from 951 to 1,067 in the most recent financial year.
The incident prompted reactions from political leaders across Australia, with Opposition Leader Angus Taylor expressing concern over Haines’s condition.
Taylor said he was “deeply saddened and distressed” by the news and would be praying for Haines and her loved ones.
“This is a shocking day for our nation. No one should be targeted in this way,” he said.
Taylor added that he had spoken with Albanese and that they were united in their view that political violence must never be accepted as part of public life.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also expressed shock and sadness, wishing Haines a “full and speedy recovery”.
“Violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia,” Hanson said.
She added that members of parliament and their staff must be able to serve their communities without fearing for their safety.
Earlier, Haines’s family released a statement confirming that the mother of three was receiving medical care following the incident. The family thanked bystanders who assisted her, along with health workers and police, while asking the public and media to respect their privacy.
“Our family and Helen’s staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media. Please keep Helen in your thoughts.” the statement said.
Haines has represented the federal electorate of Indi since 2019. Investigators are continuing to establish the circumstances of the incident, including whether the vehicle was deliberately used to strike her.
