A vehicle struck Australian independent MP Helen Haines twice outside her constituency office in Wangaratta, Victoria, leaving her in critical condition. The 65-year-old politician underwent surgery in Melbourne after being airlifted to hospital. Local media reports say she has lost one of her legs.
The incident happened on Monday afternoon, outside her office on Murphy Street. Police said a white Toyota Landcruiser hit Haines at around 3:35 pm local time. According to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, the driver allegedly reversed and struck her a second time.
A passerby reportedly stopped the driver and helped detain him until police arrived. Officers arrested a 43-year-old man from the nearby town of Tarrawingee. A knife was also reportedly found inside the vehicle.
Australian media have identified the suspect as Brendan Nugent, an environmental campaigner linked to local anti-logging issues. However, police have not confirmed a motive or established whether the suspect and Haines knew each other.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as an apparent deliberate attack, although Victoria Police said investigators were still examining whether it was intentional. Counter-terrorism police are also assisting with the investigation.
Albanese expressed concern for his colleague and said violence had no place in a democracy. During a television interview, he became emotional while discussing the incident and the risks faced by elected representatives.
Burke said reports of threatening or harassing behaviour towards Australian politicians had increased over the past year, rising from 951 cases to 1,067. An Australian parliamentary report published last year also warned that threats and physical attacks against politicians had increased significantly over the previous decade.
Haines has represented her electorate in federal parliament since 2019. Although she is an independent politician, she has become an influential figure in efforts to improve political integrity and accountability.
In 2021, she introduced legislation proposing a national anti-corruption watchdog. Her efforts contributed to the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which the Labour government created. She currently serves on the parliamentary committee overseeing the commission.
The attack has prompted messages of support from politicians across Australia’s political spectrum. Opposition leader Angus Taylor said he was deeply saddened by the news, while Greens leader David Shoebridge described Haines as an extraordinary person who brings people together.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also expressed concern for Haines and her family. Hanson stressed that elected representatives and their staff should be able to serve their communities without fearing violence.
The investigation remains ongoing as Haines receives hospital treatment. Authorities have yet to establish the circumstances behind the incident or confirm the suspect’s motive.
