Australian lawmaker Helen Haines is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a deliberate act, according to CNN.
The 65-year-old independent MP was hit by a Toyota Landcruiser at approximately 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Witnesses reportedly helped detain the 43-year-old driver until police arrived. Officers found a knife inside the vehicle, but authorities have not established a motive or confirmed whether the suspect knew Haines.
A joint investigation involving federal and state police, intelligence officials and counter-terrorism authorities is underway.
Haines entered Parliament in 2019 after working as a rural midwife. She has advocated improved healthcare services for regional communities, gambling reform and mental health support.
Related Tweet:
🇦🇺 Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was deliberately struck by a car and suffered "critical injuries" on Monday in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as an attack. ➡️ https://t.co/aEhcyCjsIA https://t.co/JlZ76eu3cG
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 19, 2026
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