Independent MP Helen Haines in critical condition after ‘attack’ outside her office

Federal MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition after she was struck by a four-wheel drive near her office, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was an intentional attack being investigated by counterterrorism police.

Haines, a mother of three and grandmother, as well as a widely respected independent MP, was badly injured just before 4pm, realising the nation’s fears about an attack on a high-profile public figure or politician.

A 43-year-old man was arrested near her regional Victorian electorate office in Wangaratta, in the state’s north-east.

Witnesses told both Nine and the ABC that they saw Haines pinned between two vehicles just outside her electorate office as she was near her own car, causing severe leg injuries. Witnesses also said a man was pulled out of a white Toyota Landcruiser.

Police said a knife was seized from inside the Toyota and that the suspect, from Tarrawingee, 12km east of Wangaratta, was detained at the crash scene by a passerby.

“This wasn’t an accident. This was a deliberate act, it would appear,” Albanese told ABC TV on Monday evening, confirming ASIO was involved and that Haines had been airlifted to Melbourne for medical treatment.

“We don’t know what the motivation is. That is the work being undertaken [by authorities].”

The incident appears to be Australia’s first major attack on a federal politician resulting in serious injury, mirroring similar events in the US and UK. Details remain scant, but the shock attack prompted politicians across the spectrum to underscore what authorities have identified as a more dangerous society and a higher volume of politically motivated violent threats.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said: “This is a shocking day for our nation. 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.”

In a message to Coalition MPs, Taylor said it would be wise to avoid undue speculation.

“Now is a time for unity, not division. All parliamentarians have a responsibility to stand firmly against political violence and uphold democracy.”

Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason would not say whether the man was known to police and described the incident as “horrific” for those who saw it. He said there was no ongoing or further threat to the community at this stage. Albanese thanked first responders.

“I can provide some assurance to the community that we certainly do not have any intelligence that there is any further or ongoing threat to any other person or the broader community,” he said. “We are treating this as an isolated incident at this point in time.”

Haines’ family asked that the public keep the 65-year-old in their thoughts, after Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke delivered a brief and sombre press conference in Sydney to inform the nation of the incident.

“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,” the family statement read.

“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.”

Haines, 65, was born in Colac, Victoria, near Geelong. She was a regional midwife who became an academic and published dozens of peer-reviewed articles on maternal health before entering politics in 2019.

She replaced Cathy McGowan in the former Liberal seat of Indi, becoming an important figure in the regional “Voices” movement that displaced several regional Liberals and helped influence the city-based teal movement.

Labor senator for Victoria Michele Ananda-Rajah told this masthead she was with Haines until about 3pm in the nearby town of Mansfield at a sod-turning event. Haines left Ananda-Rajah to drive to her office to conduct a television interview.

“We had a cuppa with locals. She was in high spirits. She is the loveliest, warm person,” Ananda-Rajah said. “I pray healthcare professionals … bring her back to her family.”

Independent MP Allegra Spender said Haines was a “true inspiration” who was respected across the aisle, did not engage in ugly forms of politics, and was a leading advocate for a federal corruption commission and stripping corruption out of federal grants.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson 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.”

Authorities have become increasingly worried about the risk of a public official being killed or hurt.

Security officials privately cite the long tail of the pandemic fuelling distrust and conspiracies, segments of the Muslim community being less willing to work with police after October 7, social media desensitising a generation of young people, and increased frustrations with the cost of living and global instability. The rise of the pseudo-legal “sovereign citizen” movement has also caused police to be worried after the deaths of two police officers at the hands of Dezi Freeman.

Speaking after the incident, Albanese used his often-repeated line on the need to “take the temperature down” in political debate.

“It has changed,” he told ABC TV when asked if the nation’s character had altered over time.

“There’s no question social media is a part of that, but so is the contest for clicks [by media outlets].”

“I don’t want to see a political system in which you can’t have conversations with people at the supermarket, in the street, at street meetings, public forums – that’s an important part of our democracy. More debate and less shouting would be a good thing.”

New National Security Investigations units were set up by the Australian Federal Police late last year to target politically motivated violence, maintain social cohesion and protect democratic institutions.

Police data shows threats to MPs and electorate officers grew from 555 reports in 2021-22 to more than 1000 the next year. In the latest reporting period, between July 2024 and February 2025, there were more than 700.

Haines’ sprawling regional Victorian electorate spans from Marysville to Wodonga and Mount Hotham, and takes in towns including Lake Eildon, Beechworth, Corryong, Myrtleford and the alpine town of Porepunkah, where Freeman shot and killed officers Vadim De Waart-Hottart and Neal Thompson in August last year.

Haines has advocated for better telecommunications infrastructure and for the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

The regional city of Wangaratta, about two hours and 40 minutes’ drive northeast of Melbourne, is home to about 30,000 people.