Helen Haines: Police reveal fresh details about alleged attack on independent MP
Independent MP Helen Haines is fighting for her life after an alleged attack outside her electorate office in regional Victoria.
The 65-year-old remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery overnight, as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Haines was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office on Murphy St in Wangaratta, about 250km northeast of Melbourne, at about 3.30pm on Monday.
The 65-year-old was standing at the rear of a parked car when she was struck by another vehicle travelling along the street, according to Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason.
She was pinned between the LandCruiser and her own vehicle, suffering serious injuries to her legs and lower body.
Emergency services responded to the scene, and she was taken by road ambulance to Wangaratta District Base Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
The incident prompted a major police investigation, with the Major Collision Investigation Unit travelling from Melbourne to examine the scene.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared on Sunrise on Tuesday morning as Haines continued to fight for her life following surgery.
The PM said the motivation behind the incident remained unclear, but said it was an attempt to harm the MP.
“It is clear that this wasn’t just an accident. This was an attempt to harm Helen Haines. This will be a community that are hurting this morning and that are shocked and that are praying for a speedy recovery for Helen.”
Albanese’s comments came as investigators worked to establish what happened in the moments before Haines was struck, including why the vehicle hit her.
A joint counter-terrorism team has also been activated as investigators work to establish the motive behind the incident.
A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, about 10km outside Wangaratta, was arrested following the incident.
According to police, the alleged driver was initially detained by civilian witnesses who were near the scene before officers arrived.
5News aggregated this summary from the outlet’s public feed. The full article, with all the context, is on 7news.com.au — the content belongs to 7NEWS Australia.
