Independent MP Helen Haines injured outside Wangaratta office

newsOct 19, 2026411,577

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed independent MP Helen Haines was attacked when a white Toyota LandCruiser struck a 65-year-old woman outside Haines's electorate office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta about 3:30pm. Emergency services responded and Haines was airlifted to Melbourne for treatment. Victoria Police arrested a 43-year-old Tarrawingee man, investigators found a knife in the vehicle, and detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit are probing the scene. The joint counterterrorism unit has been activated and the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO are understood to be working collaboratively on the investigation, though Mr Albanese said it is too early to determine a motive. Victoria Police Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason praised bystanders who made a citizens' arrest and helped at the scene. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke publicly expressed shock and concern, with Burke noting the AFP received 951 reports of violent threats and harassment against public facing roles in 2024-25. Haines's family thanked those who assisted, confirmed she is receiving medical care, and asked for privacy while police continue their inquiries.

Senator David Shoebridge

@davidshoebridge.bsky.social

Horrified to hear of the apparent attack on my friend and colleague Helen Haines. Helen is an extraordinary human being and brings people together like few others. In grief and solidarity wishing her a complete recovery.

1983h ago

Kerry Tuena10

Best wishes for Helen Haynes for a complete recovery. At a music festival in Rainbow Beach at the weekend my husband was bailed up by a ON supporter saying if he was diagnosed with a terminal illness he would shoot the PM. I was shocked and disgusted. Wake up Aussies. We are better than this.

DeJenerate🎻🐨📚3

Thankfully there is a suspect in custody.

Glenn2

Being airlifted to hospital is ominous. Be well Helen.

Dr Monique Ryan

@mon4kooyong.bsky.social

Helen Haines is the very best of people. She's respected and loved by every person in our Parliament. Those of us lucky enough to know her are praying for Helen and her family, team and community tonight.

1683h ago

tonywindsor.bsky.social

@tonywindsor.bsky.social

I can’t believe someone would intentionally want to hurt Helen Haines. She is always respectful of others views, respected across the Parliament and community and a glowing example of how an MP should represent her electorate. Our thoughts are with Helen and her family.

1303h ago

Rob Stephenson FRSA2

Horrendous Tony. A good & very decent person, committed to her electorate, local representation and broader integrity. @helenhainesindi.bsky.social is a model, mentor and aspirational example across so many regional communities - wishing her all the power of as many positive thoughts 7we can muster.

mary200.bsky.social2

Such shocking news. She’s an amazing MP and I’m not even in her state.

6 News Australia

@6newsau.bsky.social

#BREAKING 🚨 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Indi MP Helen Haines was "attacked" when she was struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Victoria earlier this afternoon, with one suspect in custody "We are praying for her full recovery...the motive is not known"

843h ago

Sharon H10

God I hate what’s happening in this country.

Brenda4

Terribly sad that this has happened and I hope Helen Haines recovers soon and can get back to her good work.

LeftyBirdNerd 🌏✊🏳️‍🌈2

Just terrible news.. an attack!

Quoting this

Ketan Joshi105

Oh my god, this is awful

Dean from Australia6

This is what happens when disgusting cretins like Pauline Hanson and her handler Gina Reinhart import MAGA style hatred into #auspol

Dr jwwr2

Gina and her puppet outfit PHON are deliberately widening the Overton Window to let this maga sickness into Australia.

Dan Ilic

@danilic.bsky.social

Gosh — Helen is simply the nicest and one of the smartest people in parliament: www.smh.com.au/national/hel...

1223h ago

Possibly Rhodri4

Of all people, I can't understand why she would be a target for this

Dave Lennon3

exactly and Albanese has just called it an "attack"

Taurus A2

Another male who thinks he is entitled to visit violence on a women, that he wouldn’t do to a male MP

Greg Jericho

@grogsgamut.bsky.social

Absolutely horrific. All love and support to Helen Haines and her family and friends

812h ago

Chris Pomfret1

Struck by a 4WD. This is deeply disturbing

Ketan Joshi

@ketanjoshi.co

Helen Haines is one of the best climate advocates in Australian gov't btw, with a real focus on community benefits. Hope she's okay www.helenhaines.org/issues/clima...

723h ago

Jim Chalmers

@jimchalmers.bsky.social

Thinking of Helen Haines and her family, friends and community tonight. A wonderful and thoughtful person, much-admired and much-loved.

723h ago

ABC News Australia

@news.abc.net.au

Live: Indi MP Helen Haines seriously injured in electorate office incident

364h ago

Quoting this

Rick Morton86

This is awful. Appeared to be targeted. No more details on motive yet. Hoping she recovers.

André Brett37

Holy shit. What initially sounded like a traffic accident appears to have been a targeted attack, this is terrible. Hard to grasp Haines of all people being the victim of something like this and really hope she pulls through

Jessie L18

Oh shit this looks awful

Gordon Kerry11

It shouldn’t happen to anyone but bloody hell. She is the nicest, smartest, must decent person.

Brainbell jangler10

Such terrible news and hope she recovers well.. This is what happens when our truly godawful media legitimise cookers bringing noose to parliament as regular mums and dads hurting.

Antfarmer8

This is shocking and tragic. Haines is a treasure. Throw the book at the bastard that did it.

Tim Byrne7

Bloody hell. I'm sure there will be subsequent analyses of things like motive, politics and similiar stuff. Right now I just hope with all my heart that Ms Haines pulls through.

Random Sarah6

Hoping she is ok and has a speedy recovery 😔 #auspol

Laki3

Sending Helen very best hopes for a full recovery and hope this idiot has the book thrown at him.

Possum

@pollytics.bsky.social

I really hope the Helen Haines thing isn't what I think it is.

763h ago

Aimee Hulbert17

Comrade, I can’t overstate the damage normalising cookers during the COVID years has done down here.

Wolfcat 🥄7

You might need to hope a bit harder I am afraid.

rimidar5

Yeah Albanese mentioned counter-terrorism units so it’s gonna be bad.

Aston Bailey-Fong2

Albo just announced it yeah…

Odins_toenail2

I got pinned, it fucking hurt and yes things broke. Knowing it was deliberate? 🤬

Nathan Wind2

Yeah. I am very concerned it is what we suspect. I hope I’m wrong.

Louise Milligan

@milliganreports.bsky.social

My goodness poor Helen Haines. A lovely woman. I hope she is okay.

713h ago

The DILETTANTE

@demwar.bsky.social

Helen Haines is the best of us. Sending Helen, her family and colleagues strength, love and peace.

423h ago

Andrew Elder

@awelder.bsky.social

Wishing all good things to Helen Haines and her family. As a consumer of #ausmedia I'm happy to wait for investigations to take their course, and no I don't need Barnaby Joyce's input thanks anyway

403h ago

Rhys Parton

@rhysparton.bsky.social

The ABC has repeatedly mentioned security during their coverage of the attack in Helen Haines. They said "there isn't much" and my response is that there shouldn't need to be! She's a representative, a community member. Our communities should be a safe place. We need to get our acts together.

313h ago

Bethany Williams

@bethanyincbr.bsky.social

Helen Haines is one of the kindest, nicest, respectful and decent people in politics. That anyone might want to deliberately harm her is deeply concerning. An investigation is underway, so we will need to wait for the findings. I just hope Helen is ok.

323h ago

3 sources

theguardian.comHelen Haines updates: PM says person in custody after alleged attack on Helen Haines abc.net.auBreaking: Helen Haines injured in incident near Wangaratta office theage.com.auHelen Haines injured near electorate office: reports

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Independent MP Helen Haines injured outside Wangaratta office

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