Australian prime minister says lawmaker critically injured by car is ‘no accident’
Helen Haines, a 65-year-old independent, was struck by a an SUV outside her electoral office in the city of Wangaratta, in Victoria State, in the middle of Monday afternoon, police said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that a lawmaker critically injured by a car on Monday was the victim of a deliberate attack, not an accident. Helen Haines, a 65-year-old independent lawmaker, was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her electoral office in Wangaratta, Victoria State. The driver was apprehended and remains in custody.
Prime Minister Albanese said the national counterterrorism team was investigating the incident. Eyewitnesses reported the driver hit Haines twice, first as she stood near her parked car, and then again as the vehicle reversed. Haines, first elected to Parliament in 2019, was initially treated at a hospital in Wangaratta before being airlifted to Melbourne.
Police confirmed they found a knife in the suspect's possession and are investigating whether the attack was intentional. This incident has sparked concerns about public anger toward politicians, with threats against Australian lawmakers doubling over the past three years. Prime Minister Albanese acknowledged that the increased political polarization may have contributed to the security concerns.
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