An Australian MP has been hit by a car outside her office, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called “a deliberate act”.
Helen Haines was reportedly in a car park near her regional office in Wangaratta, Victoria, when she was hit by a 4×4 vehicle.
A 43-year-old man, from nearby Tarrawingee, was arrested at the scene by a passerby – police say he will be interviewed in relation to the incident.
“We are treating this as an isolated incident at this time. There is no ongoing threat to the community that we are aware of,” Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason, of Victoria Police said.
The family of Helen Haines has released this statement:
“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care.
“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. Please keep Helen in your thoughts.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the motive of the apparent attack is not known, but the Joint Counter Terrorism Team is involved.
Albanese calls Helen Haines “a thoroughly decent human being” and a “well-loved member of her community”.
“This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear,” Anthony Albanese tells ABC’s 730 Programme.
“We certainly hope for good news about Helen’s condition over the next 24 hours.”
He says that counter terrorism police would be going through the history of the suspect to try to establish a motivation.
Albanese adds he has been asking for some time for people to dial down the temperature in politics.
“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, but the temperature has undoubtedly been increased, not just here in Australia, of course. We’ve seen incidents internationally as well,” he says.
“There is no place for violence in a democracy.”
Helen Haines is a 65-year-old Independent MP for the Indi division in Victoria, south-eastern Australia.
She was first elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 2019 and was re-elected in 2022 and 2025.
Before entering politics she worked as a nurse, midwife, and public health researcher.
She has published several research papers on maternal health.
