‘Deliberate’ car ramming of Australian MP an isolated incident, police say
A 43-year-old man accused of deliberately hitting Helen Haines outside her office is in police custody.
Key points
- Australian police say the car ramming of MP Helen Haines appears to be an isolated incident with no known further threats.
- Haines, 65, was struck outside her Wangaratta office on Monday and remains in critical condition after surgery.
- A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee is in custody as police consider charges carrying up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Australian Federal Police said the alleged targeting of independent lawmaker Helen Haines appeared to be an "isolated incident", with no known further threats linked to the attack. Haines was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her office in Wangaratta, about 200km northwest of Melbourne, on Monday.
The 65-year-old underwent surgery overnight and remains in critical condition in a Melbourne hospital, with Australian media reporting she has lost a leg. A suspect is in police custody; local media identified the driver as a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, Victoria.
Charges under consideration
Federal and state police are working to identify potential charges, including causing harm to a Commonwealth public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment, according to an AFP statement on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the vehicle performed a U-turn before hitting the MP and that the motive remained unknown. "It's clear that there was a deliberate act here," Albanese told the ABC national broadcaster.
I heard a loud bang with no brakes. It was crazy; I just ran out to the front to see what's happening
— Ricky Jefferies
Witness account and reaction
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told ABC Radio that witnesses said Haines was struck twice before a bystander intervened. Barber Ricky Jefferies ran from his shop, restrained the attacker and removed a knife from him, Australian media reported.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was shocked by the "deeply disturbing attack" and wished Haines a full recovery in a post on X. The attack comes after federal police documented a steady rise in threats and abuse directed at politicians in recent years.
