A 43-year-old man accused of deliberately punching Helen Haines outside her office remains in police custody.
Published on October 20, 2026
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the alleged targeting of independent MP Helen Haines appeared to be an “isolated incident” and that no other threats were known associated with the attack.
Haines was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her office in Wangaratta, about 200 km (124 miles) northwest of the Victorian state capital Melbourne, on Monday in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called a “deliberate” act.
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The 65-year-old woman was operated on overnight. Australian media reported Tuesday that she had lost a leg and remained in critical condition in a Melbourne hospital.
The suspect is in police custody, indicates an AFP press release published Tuesday. Local media identified the driver as a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, Victoria.
Federal and state police were working “to identify potential charges,” including “the offense of causing harm to a public official of the Commonwealth, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment,” the statement said.
The prime minister said on Tuesday that the vehicle had turned around before hitting the MP.
“It’s clear there was a deliberate act here. It wasn’t an accident, someone just drove off the road,” Albanese told national broadcaster ABC.
The prime minister said the alleged attacker’s motives remained unknown.
A passerby intervened
A former nurse, Haines is an independent federal MP for the Victorian seat of Indi and is known for her socially conscious policy stances on the environment and transparency.
Home Secretary Tony Burke told ABC radio that witnesses said Haines was struck twice by the vehicle before a passerby intervened.
Ricky Jefferies fled his hair salon, overpowered the attacker and pulled a knife from him after initially believing it was a car crash, Australian media reported.
“I heard a loud bang with no brakes. It was crazy; I just ran ahead to see what was happening,” Jefferies told reporters outside his store.
“I initially didn’t realize the severity of the situation, and once it became relevant, I just did what I could and what others were already trying to do.”
Threats and abuse
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was shocked by the “deeply disturbing attack” and wished Haines a full recovery in an article on X.
The attack comes after federal police noted a steady increase in threats and abuse against the country’s politicians in recent years. Politicians have always been very accessible to the public and generally go about their business without security.
Albanese said Monday that “the temperature has been rising lately.”
Haines entered Parliament in 2019 after working as a nurse and midwife, becoming known for positions such as supporting stronger climate action.
She has been praised for her efforts to increase transparency in politics and fight corruption.
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