source : the age
Indi MP Helen Haines is seriously injured after being struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office this afternoon.
Here’s what we know about this evolving story.
Thank you for following the latest developments as the nation reacts to a shocking attack outside the Wangaratta office of Indi MP Helen Haines. This is where we leave our coverage for this evening.
A 43-year-old man is in custody after he was arrested at the scene. Haines has been flown to Melbourne for further treatment.
Australia’s politicians have reacted with shock and distress throughout the evening after the attack on a highly respected member of parliament.
While the motivation for this attack is not yet known, the presence of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke alongside a visibly shaken Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “spoke volumes about what the government seems to believe has occurred”, writes chief political commentator James Massola.
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Wangaratta: A large police cordon remains near Indi MP Helen Haines’ office after she was struck by a car this afternoon.
At least half a dozen police cars were on the scene shortly before 10pm. A fire truck was also present, although it appeared to be there to provide lighting to investigators.
Police are not letting anyone closer than about 200 metres.
Visible in the distance is a white Toyota four-wheel-drive, close to Haines’ Wangaratta electoral office. Haines was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser just after 3.30pm, Victoria Police said.
Haines was seriously injured and has been flown to Melbourne for further treatment.
Independent MP Dai Le says the attack on Helen Haines outside her electorate office cannot deter parliamentarians from engaging with their community.
The MP for Fowler, in Sydney’s south-west, said she was praying for Indi MP Haines’ recovery.
“She’s very well respected, it is a huge shock to hear,” Le told News24 tonight.
“We all pray for Helen, and we hope that the police investigation will yield something that will hopefully ensure … members of parliament feel safe to do their job,” Le said.
Le said she does not feel her personal safety has been threatened but described angry people abusing her staff over the phone in the last few months.
“I have no doubt that is a concern for a lot of members of parliament, but we will all have to carry on our role as elected representatives to represent the community,” Le said.
Helen Haines is “one of the most outstanding people in parliament”, fellow independent MP Allegra Spender says, after the Indi MP was seriously injured outside her electorate office this afternoon.
Spender said she learned of what happened through text messages with other crossbench parliamentary colleagues.
“The overarching message was that Helen’s the best of us, like Helen is one of the most outstanding people in parliament,” Spender told the ABC’s 7.30 program tonight.
“Whether you agree with her or you don’t on issues, you know, you would be proud to see how she approaches issues in the parliament … with compassion, with rigor … everything that you would want from a politician,” Spender said.
“She’s really an inspiration … she takes the work incredibly seriously.”
Spender said it was a point of pride in Australia that politicians “are just like anybody else”, including that they have the right to safety and a degree of respect.
Indi MP Helen Haines is seriously injured after being struck by a car outside her Wangaratta electorate office this afternoon.
Here’s what we know about this evolving story.
Greens leader David Shoebridge says he was horrified to hear of the attack outside Helen Haines electorate office.
“Helen is an extraordinary human being and brings people together like few others,” Shoebridge said on X.
“In grief and solidarity wishing her a complete recovery.”
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson says she is horrified and saddened by the attack on Indi MP Helen Haines.
“I wish her a full and speedy recovery, and I know Australians everywhere are wishing the same,” Hanson said on X.
“Violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia,” Hanson said.
“Members of parliament and their staff must be able to serve their communities without fearing for their safety.”
Counter-terror investigators will examine the history of the suspect in custody as they search for the motivation behind an attack now subject to a major police investigation.
“It is too early though, to speculate on motivation and we won’t be doing so,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said following the attack on Indi MP Helen Haines near her Victorian electorate office.
Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and domestic spy agency ASIO are engaged in the investigation through the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, but with a motive for the attack still unknown, it has not yet been declared a terrorist incident.
“But importantly, someone is in custody,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
Political fundraising body Climate 200, which supported Helen Haines’ political campaign when she ran for the electorate of Indi in 2019, said it was “deeply disturbed and devastated” by the incident.
The climate-focused group said Haines was an “incredible MP for the electorate of Indi and an outstanding community leader”.
“The Climate 200 community is deeply disturbed and devastated to hear of the attack on Dr Helen Haines,” it said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with Helen and her family at this difficult time.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has released a statement:
I am deeply saddened and distressed by the news out of Wangaratta tonight involving Dr Helen Haines MP.
I’m praying for Helen and thinking of her family and loved ones. This is a shocking day for our nation. No one should be targeted in this way.
Australians will be angry and appalled by the attack on Helen outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.
Our nation cannot become a place where violent attacks are normalised.
I’ve spoken with the Prime Minister, and we are united in our view that political violence must never be accepted as part of public life.
I hope Helen, her family and her community across north-east Victoria know that Australians right across the country are thinking of them and holding them in their thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.
