Independent MP Helen Haines critically injured in attack, PM says counter-terrorism team activated, 43-year-old man arrested

The independent member for Indi, Helen Haines, is in a critical condition after an attack outside her Wangaratta electorate office on Monday, with a 43-year-old man arrested.

Haines, 65, was struck at 3:35pm by a white Toyota Landcrusier in Murphy Street, when she was standing at the boot of her car.

The man, who is from Tarrawingee, near Wangaratta, was apprehended at the scene by a bystander and then taken into custody by police.

Police found a knife inside the vehicle.

After being treated at North East Health Wangaratta Hospital Haines was air-lifted to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne, arriving about 7.30 pm.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke spoke at a 7 pm news conference in Sydney.

Albanese said: “A suspect is in custody.

The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and ASIO are working together on this.

The Joint Counter Terrorism Team has been activated, but the motive is not known.” He said he had spoken with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and been briefed by AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

“It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack,” Albanese said.

He later told the ABC the Joint Counter Terrorism Team would “be going through their forensic work, trying to establish a motivation”.

“Interviews will take place with the person concerned, and they’ll be […] looking as well, as they do, to check if there are any linkages there.” Haines has been in parliament since 2019, when she succeeded independent Cathy McGowan in the north east Victorian regional seat.

She has been especially active on integrity issues and on Monday issued a statement welcoming the announcement of a new head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

The prime minister said that Haines was incredibly hardworking, fiercely intelligent “but most importantly, she’s just a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the parliament and from everyone who comes into contact with her.