Newsletters
Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines suffered critical injuries Monday after being struck by a vehicle outside her constituency office in northeastern Victoria, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a deliberate attack.
Haines, 65, was hit by a white Toyota Land Cruiser outside her office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) northwest of Melbourne, at about 3:35 p.m. local time (4:35 a.m. GMT), according to Victoria Police.
The lawmaker was taken to a hospital with critical injuries.
"This wasn't an accident. There was a deliberate act," Albanese told Australian public broadcaster ABC.
Police arrested a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, a town in northeastern Victoria, after a member of the public detained him at the scene.
A knife was recovered from inside the Toyota, police said.
Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason confirmed that the victim had suffered critical injuries, although he did not publicly identify her in accordance with Australian police practice.
Police initially said they were investigating whether the collision had been intentional.
"A white Toyota Land Cruiser struck the 65-year-old woman outside an office on Murphy Street about 3.35 pm," police said in a statement.
Authorities said the suspect would be questioned in connection with the incident.
"A knife was located by police and seized from inside the Toyota. It is not known yet if the parties are known to each other," police added.
Albanese said a major police investigation was underway and confirmed that Australia's joint counterterrorism team had been activated.
"The joint counter-terrorism team has been activated, but the motive is not known," he said.
The prime minister said he was unaware of any previous threats against Haines and cautioned against drawing conclusions about the suspect's motives.
Haines' family confirmed the incident in a statement, saying she was receiving medical treatment.
"This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care," the family said.
"We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response."
"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," the statement added.
Albanese expressed support for Haines and her family.
"All of our thoughts are with Helen, her family, her friends, her team, and her community at this extremely difficult time. We are praying for her full recovery," he told journalists.
The incident comes amid growing concern over threats and abuse directed at Australian politicians.
The Australian Federal Police has documented a steady increase in threats against lawmakers in recent years and established a dedicated team in 2025 to investigate individuals and groups targeting elected officials.
Albanese warned Monday that political hostility had intensified, particularly online.
"The temperature has increased in recent times," he said.
"I've expressed that concern to people in the media," he added.
"If you look at anyone's social media feeds and look at the comments, people will say things that they would never say face to face."
Haines entered Australia's parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife.
She is serving her third term representing Indi, a federal electorate in northeastern Victoria.
The independent lawmaker has advocated stronger climate policies, greater transparency in government and measures to combat political corruption.
Albanese praised her work and character.
"She is incredibly hardworking," he said.
"She is fiercely intelligent but, most importantly, she's just a thoroughly decent human being."
Police said the investigation remained ongoing, with no charges or suspected motive announced in the information released so far.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
