Independent MP Helen Haines has suffered critical injuries after being struck by a four-wheel-drive outside her electorate office in regional Victoria, with a 43-year-old man arrested and a knife seized from his vehicle.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed a suspect was in custody during an urgent press conference on Monday evening, revealing a major police investigation was underway and the joint counter-terrorism team had been activated.
“There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody,” he said.
“The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and ASIO are working together on this.”
Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason later confirmed Dr Haines was struck by a white Toyota Land Cruiser on Murphy Street in Wangaratta about 3.35pm on Monday.
She was rushed by road ambulance to Northeast Health Wangaratta and is expected to be airlifted to Melbourne for further treatment.
“That female has suffered what has been described as critical injuries,” Acting Supt Mason said.
Police confirmed the 43-year-old driver, from Tarrawingee, was detained by witnesses before officers arrived and arrested him.
He remains in custody at Wangaratta Police Station, where he is expected to be interviewed by investigators.
“After the male was detained, there was a knife located, I believe, inside the vehicle that he was driving, and that has been seized by police,” Acting Supt Mason said.
Police are investigating whether the incident was deliberate or targeted, but stressed it was too early to determine a motive.
“We’ve got quite an extensive crime scene. We have investigators present, and they’ll continue to work through and try and collect all available evidence to ascertain exactly what has occurred and how it has occurred,” Acting Supt Mason said.
He said there was no indication the driver and Dr Haines knew each other, and police were treating the incident as isolated, with no known ongoing threat to the community.
When asked if the attack was targeted on ABC’s 7.30 program, Mr Albanese described it as a “deliberate act” but warned against speculating about the motive behind the incident, insisting it was still being investigated.
“This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, there would appear,” he said.
“I think there has been a rise in temperature.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also addressed the incident, revealing reports of harassment and threatening behaviour towards high office holders had risen from 951 to 1067 in the most recent financial year.
Dr Haines was retrieving items from the boot of her car in a parking bay when she was struck.
A barber working nearby reportedly rushed to assist, helping a male driver out of the four-wheel-drive.
Acting Supt Mason praised the witnesses who helped detain the driver and assisted Dr Haines following the collision.
“This would have been a tragic, horrific incident for people to witness,” he said.
Mr Albanese described her as a “thoroughly, decent human being” and said Australia was “praying for her full recovery”.
“Helen Haines is incredibly hardworking. It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack,” he reiterated.
“She is fiercely intelligent, but most importantly, she’s just a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity, and respected right across the Parliament.
“She is a well-loved member of her community, and this will come as an incredible shock to that community.”
Haines’ family release statement
Dr Haines’ family released a statement confirming 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. We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response,” they said.
“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.”
Mr Albanese said the thoughts of the nation were with Dr Haines, her family and the wider community.
“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 said.
Dr Haines, a mother of three, has represented the federal seat of Indi since 2019.
Politicians express support
Australian politicians from across parliament poured in support for Ms Haines on Monday evening.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said she was horrified to hear of the “apparent attack on my friend and colleague” and wished her a “full and speedy recovery”.
“I am horrified and saddened that Helen Haines has been seriously injured in an attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta today,” she said.
“Violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia.
“Members of parliament and their staff must be able to serve their communities without fearing for their safety.”
Greens leader David Shoebridge also expressed his concern and wished her a complete recovery.
“Horrified to hear of the apparent attack on my friend and colleague Helen Haines,” Senator Shoebridge said.
“Helen is an extraordinary human being and brings people together like few others. In grief and solidarity wishing her a complete recovery.”
Fellow independent MP Monique Ryan described Ms Haines as a loved member of her community and the Australian Parliament. “She’s respected and loved by every person in our Parliament. Those of us lucky enough to know her are praying for Helen and her family, team and community tonight,” she said.
Nationals MP Michael McCormack described it as “awful news”.
“Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery,” he said.
Growing fears over threats to Australian politicians
It comes after several Australia MPs and public figures have sounded the alarm on death threats and abuse in recent weeks. It includes Communications Minister Anika Wells and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek who have both been subject to death threats this term.
A man was arrested in December 2025 after Ms Wells had received an email from a man promising to kill not only her but to murder her three children under the age of 10.
In an address to a Labor women in politics event last week, Ms Plibersek highlighted the growing threat against Australian politicians and referenced the attacks abroad.
Several politicians have been attacked while in office including former conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe who was found dead in her Devon home in July, age 78.
UK Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed multiple times to death in 2016 outside her constituency surgery in West Yorkshire with the murder deemed an act of terrorism.
“I think we like to tell ourselves that the political violence we see abroad could never happen here,” Ms Plibersek said.
“That an MP could never be bludgeoned to death in her home or shot in the street – as was the case in the tragic killings of Ann Widdicombe and Jo Cox.
“In the last year alone, at least half a dozen men have been arrested or charged for making threats against women in state or federal parliaments.
“Nine in 10 female politicians in this country experience persistent abuse or intimidation for daring to participate in our democracy.
“For female representatives across party lines, weathering a constant barrage of online abuse is now considered part of the job.”
In an interview with The West Australian earlier this month, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett warned the number of parliamentarians receiving threatening communication had risen, particularly those from minority backgrounds and women.
“There are a number of particular parliamentarians that do have a greater volume of threatening communication,” she said.
Ms Barrett admitted it was also something she dealt with herself.
“I have had that as well as a senior prominent figure, particularly a law enforcement figure. Again, there has been some gender to that as well,” she said.
“At the end of the day, I have a job to do. I’m representing a whole workforce of incredible people that are working so hard every single day to protect this community.”
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