Australian MP Helen Haines critical after vehicle strike in Wangaratta

Joint counter-terror taskforce joins federal probe of Wangaratta incident

The independent federal member for the Victorian electorate of Indi, Helen Haines, was in critical condition Monday night after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta, in regional Victoria, according to Victoria Police.

Police said emergency services were called to Murphy Street about 3:35 p.m. local time, and that a white Toyota LandCruiser struck the 65-year-old outside an office on the street. Two vehicles responded and the road was closed after the incident, according to the Victorian Emergency Services website.

A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, a locality about 10 kilometres from Wangaratta, is in custody. Victoria Police said a knife had allegedly been found inside his vehicle and that he had been detained by a passerby after exiting the car. Investigators were working to determine “as to whether it was an intentional act,” the statement said, and it was not known whether the man and Haines were known to each other.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Monday night that a suspect was in custody and that the alleged attack was being investigated by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the domestic intelligence agency ASIO, and the joint counter-terror taskforce. Albanese said the motive for the alleged attack was not known. He declined to comment on whether the suspect was known to police.

Haines has represented the electorate of Indi as an independent since 2019. The electorate includes Wangaratta.

In a statement, Haines’ family confirmed she had been injured and thanked bystanders and health workers for their swift assistance. “This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care,” the family said. They asked that their privacy, and that of Haines’ staff, be respected by the public and media. “Please keep Helen in your thoughts,” the statement added.

Nationals MP Michael McCormack said in a social media post that the news was “such awful news”. “Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery,” McCormack wrote.

Police said they were expected to release a statement regarding the incident on Monday night.