Australian MP Hit by Car in Possible Deliberate Attack

Australian MP Helen Haines was hit by a car outside her office on Monday (19 October). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an attack, but police are still gathering facts about the case.

Haines was reportedly in a car park near her regional office in Wangaratta, Victoria, when a four-wheel-drive vehicle was seen hitting her.

“This was not an accident. It appears to have been deliberate,” Albanese said in an interview on ABC television.

“We certainly hope to have good news about Helen’s condition over the next 24 hours,” he said.

Albanese said counter-terrorism police would investigate the suspect to establish the motive for the incident.

Victoria Police said the suspect was a 43-year-old man. Police said they had found a weapon in the car used to hit Haines.

“It is understood that a white Toyota LandCruiser struck a 65-year-old woman outside an office on Murphy Street at about 3.35pm local time.

“After getting out of the Toyota, the 43-year-old driver, from Tarrawingee, was detained at the scene by a passer-by. He will be interviewed in relation to the incident,” Victoria Police said.

“A knife was found and seized by police from inside the Toyota.”

“At this stage, police are investigating whether this was a deliberate act. It is not known whether the two parties knew each other,” Victoria Police said.

Who is the MP who was hit?

Helen Haines is a 65-year-old independent MP representing the electorate of Indi in Victoria, south-eastern Australia.

She was first elected to the Australian Parliament in 2019, then re-elected in 2022 and 2025.

Before entering politics, Haines worked as a nurse, midwife and public health researcher. She has published several research papers on maternal health.

Australian PM nearly breaks down on television

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared emotional as he spoke about Haines in a live interview on ABC television.

He appeared close to tears when asked whether he and his colleagues discuss the threats and risks they face.

“Yes,” he replied.

“My concern right now is, first of all, for one of my colleagues,” Albanese said.

Albanese described Haines as a person of integrity.

“She is someone who is deeply passionate about fighting for her community. She is someone who does not hesitate to speak up about what she believes that community needs,” he said.

Albanese said: “I do not want to see a political system where we cannot talk to people in supermarkets, on the streets, at community meetings or in public forums.

“That is an important part of our democracy.”

Albanese said Australian politics had become more tense of late, although he did not specifically link the incident involving Haines to those tensions.

“I think tensions have risen. There are too many protests, but not enough discussion. There is not enough civil conversation and disagreement,” he said.

“In a democracy, we should be able to have discussions and political debate and express different views, but do so respectfully,” Albanese said.

What did the opposition say?

Australian Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said he was deeply saddened and shocked by what had happened to Haines.

“My thoughts are with Helen, her family and her loved ones. This is a shocking day for our nation. No one should be targeted in an attack like this,” he said.

“Australians will be angry and horrified by the attack on Helen outside her electorate office in Wangaratta.

“Our country must not become a place where violent attacks are treated as normal,” Taylor said.

Taylor said he had spoken with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“We are united in the view that political violence must never be accepted as part of public life,” he said.

“I hope Helen, her family and people across north-east Victoria know that Australians across the country are thinking of them and wishing them well during this very difficult time.”

‘An anti-corruption campaigner respected across the political spectrum’

Although Haines may not be widely known across Australia, she is a familiar and respected figure in political circles.

This was clear from the many messages of support sent to her by politicians and party leaders from across the political spectrum.

As Australian politics becomes increasingly divisive, many regard Haines as a unifying force.

The independent MP has served in federal parliament for a relatively short time, having been elected in 2019.

During her tenure, however, she has become an influential advocate for political integrity.

In 2021, Haines proposed a bill to establish a national anti-corruption watchdog.

She is also credited with playing a key role in advancing the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission under the Labor government during the previous parliamentary term.

She currently sits on the parliamentary committee responsible for oversight of the commission.

Haines has often worked with other key independent MPs who have formed a progressive bloc in the lower house on issues such as climate action and gender equality.

Allegra Spender, another independent MP who has worked with Haines, called her “the best of us”.