{"id":933847,"date":"2026-10-19T14:52:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T14:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/933847\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T14:52:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T14:52:14","slug":"what-we-know-about-the-attack-on-independent-mp-helen-haines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/933847\/","title":{"rendered":"What we know about the ‘attack’ on independent MP Helen Haines"},"content":{"rendered":"

The road outside the electorate office of independent MP Helen Haines has become an active police scene after the 65-year-old was allegedly struck by a vehicle this afternoon.<\/p>\n

Ms Haines was critically injured in the incident, which has been described by the prime minister as an “attack”.<\/p>\n

Here’s what we know.<\/p>\n

What happened?<\/p>\n

According to police, initial investigations have determined Ms Haines was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser about 3:30pm on Murphy Street, outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria.<\/p>\n

One witness told the ABC she heard a bang and saw a woman pinned between two cars.<\/p>\n

Loading…<\/p>\n

A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was stopped by a member of the public and has since been taken into custody, police said in a statement.<\/p>\n

Police said a knife was found in the vehicle and they were investigating whether the incident was “intentional”.<\/p>\n

But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the incident as a deliberate attack.<\/p>\n

The prime minister told 7.30: “We know that this was a serious incident.”<\/p>\n

“The first I was told was that there’d been a car accident, so I did not think of anything other than an accident,” he said.<\/p>\n

“This wasn’t an accident and the suspect is in custody.”<\/p>\n

Helen Haines hit by car<\/a><\/p>\n

Independent MP Helen Haines has been critically injured in what the prime minister says was a deliberate attack, sparking shock and anger across the political spectrum.<\/p>\n

It is understood the driver is known to police and will undergo a mental health assessment.<\/p>\n

Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason said the scene was “quite dynamic” and that detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit would be investigating.<\/p>\n

Mr Albanese has said a joint counter terrorism unit had been activated but it was too early to say what was behind the incident.<\/p>\n

MP suffers critical injuries<\/p>\n

Victoria Police said Ms Haines had suffered critical injuries as a result of the alleged attack.<\/p>\n

She was rushed to hospital and flown to Melbourne to undergo emergency surgery for severe injuries to her lower body.<\/p>\n

Ms Haines’s family has released a statement on the incident, thanking first responders for their swift response and asking for privacy amid the ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n

“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care,” the statement reads.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Please keep Helen in your thoughts.”<\/p>\n

How have politicians responded?<\/p>\n

Ms Haines has been described as a respected political figure across party divides.<\/p>\n

Mr Albanese has called Ms Haines a “beacon of light” for the regional community in Northern Victoria.<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Anthony Albanese speaks to 7.30’s Sarah Ferguson about the Helen Haines incident. (ABC News)<\/p>\n

He said Ms Haines was someone “loved and admired because she’s someone of integrity”.<\/p>\n

The prime minister also called for the “political temperature” to be lowered amid increasing rhetoric of violence against representatives.<\/p>\n

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said he was deeply shocked by the incident.<\/p>\n

“Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised,” he said.<\/p>\n

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said he was “appalled” by the “violent attack” on Helen Haines.<\/p>\n

Live: Indi MP Helen Haines critically injured after ‘attack’ at electorate office<\/a><\/p>\n

Anthony Albanese says counter-terrorism police are investigating and a man has been arrested after Indi MP Helen Haines was “attacked” near her electorate office in Victoria’s north-east. Follow the latest in our live blog.<\/p>\n

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of all Victorians, are with Helen, her family, her friends, her colleagues and her community,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I know how devastating this will be for the Wangaratta community and all those who Helen represents.<\/p>\n

“Thank you to police, paramedics, firefighters and witnesses for their immediate response.<\/p>\n

“An individual has been apprehended, and I thank police for their swift action.”<\/p>\n

Who is Helen Haines?<\/p>\n

Helen Haines has long served regional communities in Victoria both as a nurse and midwife, most recently as a member for parliament, representing Indi as an independent leader since 2019.<\/p>\n

She became the first independent elected to succeed another independent in the federal parliament.<\/p>\n

On her website, Ms Haines introduces herself as a health care professional from a small farming community.<\/p>\n

She says she grew up alongside her four brothers on a dairy farm in the south-west of the state, where she learned “the value of pitching in and looking out for others”.<\/p>\n

As a 26-year-old, Ms Haines took on the role of matron at Chiltern Bush Nursing Hospital.<\/p>\n

She also worked at Wangaratta Hospital, leading midwifery services and helping build one of Australia’s longest-running rural midwifery programs.<\/p>\n

“Over three decades, I’ve worked across rural health as a nurse, midwife, researcher and academic,” she wrote.<\/p>\n

Years later, Ms Haines, says her formative career in nursing remains a guiding force in her political work.<\/p>\n

“As a nurse and a midwife, you’re with people in their most joyous and difficult moments,” Ms Haines wrote.<\/p>\n

“It’s taught me that life is precious, that everyone deserves dignity and respect, that good policy starts with listening, and \u2014 as a health researcher \u2014 that facts matter,” she wrote.<\/p>\n

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