Helen Haines critically injured after vehicle strike in Wangaratta
A 43-year-old driver was detained at the scene and arrested; authorities say the incident is being treated as an alleged deliberate attack.
Independent Australian MP Helen Haines, 65, has been left with critical injuries after a vehicle struck her outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, in the state of Victoria.
Police said the vehicle was a Toyota Land Cruiser. The 43-year-old driver was detained at the scene by a passerby and subsequently arrested; authorities said he will be interviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an alleged deliberate attack and confirmed the suspect had been taken into custody. He told reporters in Sydney, "A large police investigation is underway."
Albanese added: "Helen Haines is extraordinarily dedicated to her work and is very intelligent. But above all, she is an honest person of high integrity, respected across the Parliament and by everyone who knows her. She is a beloved member of her community and this incident will be a huge shock to the local population."
Security concerns for politicians
Haines, who was first elected to the Australian Parliament in 2019, was taken to hospital with critical injuries, police said. The circumstances of her condition and the precise sequence of events are the subject of an active investigation.
The attack has renewed discussion about the safety of public representatives. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Monday that police records show more than 1,000 threats were made against politicians in the 2025/2026 financial year.
Police in Victoria said their investigation is continuing and that they will provide further updates as inquiries progress.
Photo: press material from the event
