A Toyota Land Cruiser slammed into 65‑year‑old MP Helen Haines on Monday afternoon outside her Wangaratta office, and police seized a knife from the vehicle as the driver was taken into custody.
The driver, identified as a 43‑year‑old man, was detained by a passerby before police formal arrest, and forensic teams began collecting evidence at the scene.
Haines, who first won Indi in 2019 as an independent, has built a career on rural health and climate advocacy, making her the first independent to hold the seat after the previous independent, Cathy McGowan.
Albanese told the ABC that the attack "was not an accident" and that the motive remains unclear. He praised Haines as "a thoroughly decent, respectful human being" who "plays a role in parliament".
The incident has amplified worries about the safety of Australian lawmakers, with Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett noting a 100‑per‑cent rise in threats over the past three years and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke reporting over 1,000 threats recorded in the 2025‑2026 financial year.
A dedicated counter‑terrorism team has been tasked with probing the motive, and security arrangements for MPs are slated for review before the next federal election.
Haines’s family thanked the police, bystanders, and medical staff, and requested privacy as the investigation continues.