Federal MP still fighting for life, attack suspect in custody
Independent MP Helen Haines remains in a critical condition after she was struck by a 4WD outside her electoral office, as the Prime Minister confirms police are investigating if the attack was “politically motivated”.
Source: Anthony Albanese (X)
Independent MP Dr Helen Haines is fighting for her life in hospital after she was mowed down by a 4WD outside her electorate office in regional Victoria.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the shocking “attack” on the federal member for Indi “wasn’t an accident” but a “deliberate act”.
Haines, 65, a mum of three and grandmother, was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser in the rural town of Wangaratta, in Victoria’s north, on Monday afternoon.
Albanese said Haines was retrieving something from her boot when the car made a U-turn before veering off the road and hitting her.
“This wasn’t something with a car just going off the off the road, this is something that is very clear was aimed at causing harm to Helen Haines,” Albanese told News24.
A bystander performed a citizen’s arrest on the 43-year-old male suspect who is now in custody as counter-terrorism authorities investigate.
The incident happened outside Helen Haines’ electorate office in rural Victoria. Photo: 7News
Seven News reports that it was local barber Ricky Jefferies who rushed to help, pulling the male driver from the car until police arrived.
A knife was seized from inside the man’s vehicle.
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Haines, 65, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne.
She was in a critical condition fighting for her life on Tuesday morning after undergoing emergency surgery.
The incident is being investigated by Victoria Police’s counterterrorism taskforce in conjunction with spy agency ASIO and the Australian Federal Police, with the prime minister saying he will be briefed later on Tuesday.
Authorities are yet to determine the motive for the attack or establish whether the suspect, from the nearby town of Tarrawingee, is known to Haines.
The incident has been condemned by political leaders including Albanese, who said there was no place for political violence in Australia.
“This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear,” he told the ABC’s 7.30 program on Monday night.
“We don’t know what the motivation is. So that is the work that’s being undertaken.”
On Tuesday morning, Albanese praised the citizen who apprehended the alleged suspect.
“It’s got to be said here that at this dark and terrible time, an element of light is that a good Samaritan, someone, rushed to Helen’s defence,” he told the Today show.
“That person is a hero today.”
Haines’ family released a statement on the MP’s Facebook page on Monday.
“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care.
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“We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.
“Please keep Helen in your thoughts.”
Dr Helen Haines, pictured with husband Phil. Photo: Instagram
Nationals MP Sam Birrell, whose electorate of Nicholls neighbours Haines’ seat of Indi, said the pair had remained friends despite political differences.
He said the attack could be a turning point for how regional MPs interact with their communities.
“I’m sure the AFP will speak to us in the next 24 hours or 48 hours, and I think that there’ll be a little bit of a shake-up of the way we do things,” he told the ABC.
“Many of us in regional communities go and advertise that we’re going to be in a certain place … the idea is in Australia, you represent your people. You want to hear from them.
“I don’t want to see that lost, but obviously we need to understand what’s happened here and whether there are things that we need to do.”
The alleged attack is the most serious in a string of threats and alleged attacks on politicians in the last year.
Albanese said the political landscape had changed drastically in the 30 years since he was first elected to parliament.
“There has been too much shouting, not enough discourse, not enough polite conversation and disagreement,” he said.
“In a democracy, we should be able to have discussion, political debate, put different views forward, but do it in a way that is respectful.”
Haines was a beacon of light in northern Victoria and federal parliament, the prime minister said.
“There’s a reason why Helen Haines is so loved and admired, because she’s someone of integrity. She’s someone who treats everyone with respect,” he said.
Albanese said he was not personally aware of prior threats toward Haines, but his parliamentary colleagues regularly spoke about rising threat levels across the nation.
-with AAP
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