Helen Haines is in a critical condition after an alleged attack. Here’s what we know so far
Independent MP for Victorian seat of Indi in critical condition after incident on Monday afternoon Follow our live blog for latest updates Helen Haines was chatting with locals at a dog park on Monday morning. By the afternoon, she was fighting for her life Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast
Helen Haines, the independent federal MP for the Victorian seat of Indi, is in a critical condition after an alleged attack outside her electorate office in Wangaratta on Monday afternoon. The incident happened about 3.35pm and involved a four-wheel drive outside Haines’ electorate office.
The 65-year-old underwent surgery at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital and is in a critical but stable condition. A 43-year-old man has been taken to Wangaratta police station for questioning. Here’s what we know so far A major investigation is under way into the incident, with Victoria police, the Australian federal police, Asio and counter-terrorism investigators involved.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Haines was allegedly “attacked” outside her electorate office in Murphy Street, Wangaratta, in northern Victoria. Police said a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee was allegedly involved in the incident. He was driving a white Toyota LandCruiser.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, said witnesses alleged the driver did a “U-turn to get into the car park and to ram Helen against a vehicle, then to reverse and do it a second time”. He was detained by a bystander, a local barber, after the incident and police said a knife was seized from the car.
The motive for the alleged attack is not yet known. A crime scene was in place and the man was taken to Wangaratta police station for questioning. Albanese alleged the incident was a “deliberate act”. Police previously said it was not yet confirmed if “the parties are known to each other”.
No one else was being sought by police in relation to the incident. Albanese said he was not aware of any specific threat to the Indi MP before the incident. Haines was taken to hospital by road immediately after the attack. In a statement, Haines’s family confirmed that she had been injured and thanked bystanders for their assistance.
Threats against federal MPs and other high-profile people have been rising. In the 2025-26 financial year, more than 1,060 were recorded by authorities, up from about 950 in the year before. Leaders across parliament have sent well wishes to Haines and her family.
In a snap press conference on Monday evening, Albanese described Haines, who has represented Indi since 2019, as a “thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across parliament”.