What we know about the apparent attack on Australian MP hit by car
BBC News reports on an incident where Australian MP Helen Haines was critically injured after being struck by a car, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has characterized as a "deliberate act".
Key Details:
- Haines was hit near her office in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, on Monday afternoon local time.
- The suspect, a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, was arrested at the scene and taken into custody by police.
- A knife was also seized from the suspect's vehicle.
- The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the suspect and Haines knew each other.
Who is Helen Haines?
Haines, a 65-year-old Independent MP for the Indi division in Victoria, has a distinguished background:
- Raised on a dairy farm with four brothers.
- Trained as a nurse and midwife.
- Completed a master's degree in public health and a PhD in Medical Science.
- Currently lives with her family on a small cattle farm outside Wangaratta.
- First elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 2019 and re-elected in 2022 and 2025.
Reactions:
- Prime Minister Albanese expressed shock and concern, describing Haines as a "thoroughly decent human being" and noting the incident will be a "shocking and deeply disturbing attack" for her community.
- Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also condemned the attack.
The incident has sparked discussions about the security risks facing Australian politicians, with Albanese noting a rise in "shouting" and a "lack of discourse" in the nation's political climate.