Victorian Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition in hospital after being struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electoral office on Murphy Street shortly after 3.30pm on Monday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later told the ABC’s 7.30 Report that the incident was “not an accident”.
Police have declared a crime scene outside the office, with images showing the area sealed off by police tape.
Speaking to reporters shortly after 7pm, Mr Albanese said Ms Haines had been “attacked”. He confirmed that Victoria Police, counterterrorism units and ASIO were investigating the incident.
Ms Haines, 65, was reportedly removing belongings from the boot of her car while it was parked when she was hit by a white Land Rover.
Witnesses told 9News that the driver appeared to pass Ms Haines, then made a U-turn before driving back towards her. The vehicle struck her and reportedly pinned her underneath.
Police are treating the incident as a suspected targeted attack. Authorities confirmed that the 43-year-old man allegedly involved was due to be interviewed at Wangaratta Police Station later on Monday night.
A local barber told 7News that he pulled the driver from the vehicle and allegedly wrestled him to the ground after discovering a flick knife in his pocket.
Victoria Police said the 65-year-old mother of three was taken to hospital with “severe” injuries to her lower body.
Independent member for Indi Helen Haines was hit by a car, pictured speaking during an address at the National Press Club
Emergency services gather outside Helen Haines’ electoral office
Reports have since indicated that Ms Haines may be airlifted to Melbourne for further treatment. Unconfirmed reports have also suggested she may have lost a leg.
Mr Albanese addressed the media on Monday night, confirming that Ms Haines had been “attacked” and that a man had been arrested.
“There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody,” he said.
“The Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO are working together on this. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team has been activated, but the motive is not known.”
The Prime Minister said he had spoken with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, but warned that it was too early in the investigation to release further details.
Mr Albanese described Ms Haines as “fiercely intelligent” and, most importantly, “a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the Parliament and by everyone who comes into contact with her”.
Ms Haines’ family released a statement on Monday night thanking bystanders, police officers and medical workers for their “swift assistance” after the incident.
“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 the media,” the statement said.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared shaken as he addressed a press briefing with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Monday night
Police confirmed that the 43-year-old driver had been detained and was being questioned at Wangaratta Police Station.
They also said they believed it was an isolated incident and there was no further threat to the community.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Bourke noted that that in 2024 there were 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against high office holders; that number climbed to 1,067 in the last financial year.
‘Our thoughts are all with Helen, her family, her community and her friends’, he said.
Albanese reiterated his earlier calls to ‘turn the temperature down’ in the political discourse and also confirmed he had spoken with Haines’ office, opposition leader Angus Taylor, the AFP, and ASIO.
‘We don’t know what the motivation (for the attack) is’, he said, adding that he wasn’t aware of any threats made toward Haines in the lead up to the incident.
He also confirmed the joint counterterrorism force had been activated.
‘They’ll be checking on the history of the person who is in custody … trying to establish a motivation … they are very professional (and) they have my complete faith’, he said.
Haines has reportedly been medevac’d to a Melbourne hospital where she will receive treatment for ‘critical injuries’
Haines was first elected as the Independent Federal Member for Indi in 2019.
She worked as a health professional before making a career change and entering politics.
‘Through my work as a nurse, midwife and health researcher, I’ve cared for people in our community during some of their most important moments’, her website reads.
‘I’m not beholden to a political party and call out bad decisions, no matter who made them. I fight for you and work to get results for our community, even when the going is tough.’
In a statement Angus Taylor said it was a ‘shocking day for the nation’ and that he was personally praying for Haines.
‘No one should be targeted in this way. Australians will be angry and appalled by the attack on Helen outside her electorate office in Wangaratta’, the statement said.
‘Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised.
‘I’ve spoken with the Prime Minister, and we are united in our view that political violence must never be accepted as part of public life.’
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