Helen Haines live updates: independent MP in critical but stable condition as Asio boss warns about ‘violent rhetoric’

AFP and Victorian police working to identify potential charges The Australian federal police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, said in a statement a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee in Victoria remains in custody and confirmed the event appears to be an “isolated incident”, with no known threats connected to the matter.

Victoria police and the AFP are working to identify potential charges, such as the offence of causing harm to a commonwealth official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. Barrett said the AFP had announced the establishment of a “flying squad of hate disrupters” who focus on high-harm, high-impact politically motivated violence, communal violence and hate crimes that do not meet the threshold for terrorism and investigates threats against federal parliamentarians.

The AFP provides regularly briefings to parliamentarians about their safety and security, and further briefings will be undertaken soon. The AFP’s thoughts are with Dr Haines and her family at this time. Between 2024 and 2025, the AFP received 951 reports of harassing, nuisance, offensive and threatening behaviour against high office holders, federal parliamentarians, electorate offices and protected establishments.

This increased to 1,067 reports the following year. Jacinta Allan issues first statement since quitting politics on Helen Haines Former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has issued her first statement since quitting politics in August, describing Helen Haines as an “outstanding representative for regional Victoria” who has “worked hard every day for her community”.

She said she was “sickened by the [alleged] attack” and that Haines should have been safe doing her job: Helen was [allegedly] attacked at work, she was doing her job. All members of parliament and their staff deserve to be safe at work. Violence as a substitute for debate must be repudiated at every turn, rejected and condemned unequivocally – by everyone, every time.

New Zealand PM offers thoughts and prayers for Haines New Zealand’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, described the alleged attack on Helen Haines as a “terrible set of circumstances” and said he had corresponded with his counterpart, Anthony Albanese. [This is] a concerning development in Australia for sure.

Luxon said he was not concerned a similar alleged attack would take place in New Zealand, which will hold its general election in November. The country had found a balance between keeping politicians accessible to the public and had lifted security efforts in recent years, he said.

The Asio director general, Mike Burgess, has acknowledged the “horrific” alleged attack on Helen Haines. In a statement, Burgess said: Victoria police are working to establish the motivation for this attack, including whether the incident was politically motivated.

Elevated levels of grievance, intolerance and polarisation continue to create a permissive environment of violence. I have repeatedly put on the record my concern about the use of violent rhetoric in public discourse. Words matter. He noted the incident involving Haines occurred in an environment where politically motivated violence has been more likely than in previous years: By all means disagree, but consider how you disagree.

By all means protest, but consider how you protest. By all means criticise elected officials, but consider how you criticise elected officials. Politically motivated violence was among Australia’s principal security concerns when Asio raised the national terrorism threat level in August 2024, Burgess said.

Press pack waits outside the Alfred Outside the Alfred in Melbourne’s inner south-east, where Helen Haines underwent surgery last night, it is fairly quiet. Runners and people walking dogs are making their way through the nearby park. Out the front of the hospital, there’s a growing press pack with TV reporters doing crosses to the morning news shows.

The hospital has not indicated whether there will be a press conference this morning, but we will update you if and when it happens. Earlier, the hospital said Haines remains in a critical condition. Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe says Helen Haines is a “genuinely lovely person” and shared her own concerns about her safety as a parliamentarian.

She told ABC Radio Melbourne host Raf Epstein: If people like Helen Haines are being [allegedly] attacked, then no one’s safe. Thorpe says she has received abuse since being elected MP for the Victorian state seat of Northcote back in 2017. She says she worries for her personal safety daily and reveals that she sometimes wears a disguise when in public.

Thorpe adds says she has previously been told by the AFP not to go home because it was too unsafe. To see other politicians being [allegedly] attacked like this, it’s like, where do we cross the line? What kind of country are we becoming with so much hate? The main street of Wangaratta is quiet, aside from a large media throng outside MP Helen Haines’ office.

The front door is starting to fill up with cards and flowers as community members leave messages for a quick recovery. Barber Ricky Jefferies, whose shop is next door to Haines’ office, had just finished cutting a young family’s hair when the car hit Haines at about 3.30pm on Monday.

He said there was a loud crash and he ran to help. He said: A lot of people got involved immediately and they didn’t even check the danger. They just ran to help. The driver was still in the car, the car was still on, and … a man sat in front of the moving car.

I had no choice but to take him out of the car because it was the right and safest thing to do. Jefferies said he held the man down, telling him he couldn’t leave, but he would be alright, trying to calm him down while others helped Haines. Jefferies alleged he had a knife on him, which he took off the man.

He [allegedly] did have a knife. He didn’t pull it out. Basically just … took it out of his pocket and threw it away. Jefferies, who was back at work cutting hair at 7am on Tuesday, said he doesn’t want to be seen as a hero and that, like all of the community, he is praying Haines recovers quickly.

No one’s job should put them at risk. I can tell you from my own personal dealings that she is a genuine, kind person. Democracy Counts organisation ‘deeply saddened’ by incident The independent organisation Democracy Counts, whose work focuses on driving independence, integrity and transparency in politics, is “shocked and deeply saddened” by the news that Helen Haines has been critically injured.

Our democracy only works if decent people with character, commitment, compassion and capability are willing to put their hand up to serve their communities by representing them. If this incident is shown to have been a politically motivated attack, it will be an attack on democracy itself.

We must do more to ensure parliamentarians are safe in their work, and reflect on the culture that is driving dangerously undemocratic behaviour. Mark Butler calls for greater tolerance in political life Here’s more from the federal health minister, Mark Butler, who spoke to Sunrise about a “huge increase in hate and intolerance” in public commentary: It’s not just here in Australia, we’re seeing this around the world, but that hate could turn into violence.

There have been warnings about this for some time now: the need to turn the temperature down and for us all to be a little bit more tolerant of each other. Mark Butler praises Helen Haines The health minister, Mark Butler, has told the Today show that “it’s hard to imagine a more gentle, compassionate, decent member of parliament than Helen”.

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard her raise her voice and I can’t say that about many MPs. The debate can be very vigorous but from Helen it’s always incredibly respectful. Butler said given her experience as a nurse and midwife, along with her doctorate in public health, he works with Haines more than many other of his parliamentary colleagues and values her expertise.

I can only imagine the shock and distress that Helen’s family are feeling right now as they wait for news about her surgery overnight, also her community, her staff, her friends. This is incredibly confronting and we’re all waiting for what we hope will be positive news about Helen’s very serious injuries.

Independent Jacqui Lambie pays tribute to Haines Jacqui Lambie has issued a statement about Helen Haines this morning: I echo the sentiments of my colleagues when I say that Helen Haines is truly the best of us. My heart goes out to Helen’s family, friends and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

We are all praying for her speedy recovery. Here are some of the developments we’ve heard since this morning: The federal independent MP for Indi, Helen Haines, is in a critical condition after being struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, at about 3.35pm on Monday.

She has been taken to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital, where she underwent surgery overnight. A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee is in custody, and the alleged attack is being investigated by the Australian federal police, Asio and the joint counter-terror taskforce.

The motive is not yet known. A knife was allegedly found in his car after he was detained by a passerby when he got out of his vehicle. The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, has said witnesses described the driver as allegedly doing a U-turn before ramming into Haines twice.

Police are expected to interview the suspect in the alleged attack this morning. Local barber Ricky Jefferies has been praised for stepping in to apprehend the alleged attacker. Politicians across the political spectrum including the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, the opposition leader, Angus Taylor, and fellow independents have sent well-wishes to Haines.

Asio boss, Mike Burgess, has issued a warning about "violent rhetoric in public discourse” while AFP commissioner, Krissy Barrett, has said the police are working with Victorian counterparts to identify potential charges. Female politicians ‘cop it a lot worse’ than their male counterparts, Victorian premier says Here’s more from the Victorian premier, Ben Carroll: We just acknowledged 14 years since Julia Gillard’s powerful misogyny speech, and I was then thinking too about Premier Allan and some of the billboards and misogyny she faced … The federal minister for small business, Anne Aly, has had 19 death threats in one week.

If that is not alarm bells for everyone … we need to step up, do more. Asked by host Raf Esptein if he was told there was a link between online misogyny and this alleged attack, Carroll replied: “No, I have not been told that … I think we need to let the investigations take place.” Carroll said he would be attending a briefing with the Victoria police chief commissioner, Mike Bush, representatives from Asio and the AFP and Anthony Albanese later today.

He said he would also work with the Victorian electoral commissioner and Victoria police to bolster security as the state heads toward a November election. Carroll said he had spoken with the Victorian Greens, Nationals and opposition leader, as well as local member Tim McCurdy.

Victorian premier urges focus on online hate and misogyny The Victorian premier, Ben Carroll, says he was “shocked and sickened” to hear the news of the attack last night and described Helen Haines as a “rare flower in public life” who has dedicated her life to caring for others.

Asked by ABC radio host Raf Epstein if he was surprised, Carroll says: This act of violence is just unfathomable that it’s occurred in Australia … Let’s put an action plan together. Let’s look at online hate. Let’s look at misogyny. Let’s look at the targeting of female representatives.

Carroll says while law enforcement agencies need to do their work, he believes there’s “no doubt” we are living in a “more polarised” world driven by algorithms. In this post-fact information system, there are no consequences for what goes on on online platforms.

I’ve complained to Meta and X, and I just get the email back [saying] there’s no breach of any duties there. People can put up continuously misinformation and disinformation online, and there’s no consequences. Sophie Scamps says Haines ‘an inspiration to all of us’ Independent MP Sophie Scamps, who holds the Sydney seat of Mackellar, told ABC RN Haines would advocate for her community in the “strongest but most respectful way”.

She does it with this immense grace. And I’ll even just note like Monique [Ryan] when we [independents] all first got elected back in 2022, made these T-shirts ‘What would Helen do?’ She is an inspiration to all of us because of the grace and humour with which she holds herself.

Safety ‘getting worse’ in lead-up to Victorian state election, state MP says Here’s more from Nationals Victorian state MP Tim McCurdy, whose electorate covers Wangaratta: It’s certainly getting worse with a state election but, I mean, that has no boundaries. Helen being a federal MP, she’s not tied up in this state election at all.

But certainly the heat certainly is in the community – all communities – as this election is coming up. Asked by ABC News Breakfast about the issues igniting the political heat, McCurdy says renewables are a significant concern. People aren’t anti-renewable in this area but they are anti- the fact that we don’t have a say, and farmers and communities don’t have a say about what’s happening in their community.

Guardian Australia’s Victorian state correspondent, Benita Kolovos, has written about renewables ahead of the election. I’m going to hand you over to my colleague Kat Wong now, who will take you through the rest of this morning’s updates. The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, says Helen Haines was twice rammed in the alleged attack in Wangaratta on Monday.

Speaking on ABC radio, Burke said the Indi MP remains in a critical but stable condition on Tuesday morning. He said: What witnesses have described is the driver doing 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.

A bystander ran towards the scene, got the driver out of the vehicle and held the driver until police arrived. And I think every Australian is grateful for those moments when a hero like this runs towards the most dangerous place. Wangaratta, the rural city in which the incident occurred last night, is a tight-knit community in north-east Victoria.

Wangaratta city proper had about 20,000 people at the last census, while the broader LGA had just under 30,000. Located on the flatlands at the junction of the Ovens and King rivers, it’s rural centre servicing the wine and produce region of north-east Victoria such as Milawa, Beechworth and the King Valley, and a gateway to the mountains.

Suspect to be interviewed by police this morning Police expect to interview the suspect in the alleged attack on MP Helen Haines this morning, acting superintendent Ashley Mason has said, speaking just now to ABC News Breakfast. Wangaratta mayor praises ‘brave’ local barber who stepped in The mayor of Wangaratta, Irene Grant, has expressed gratitude to the “brave” bystander – a local barber – who stepped in to apprehend the alleged attacker.

Speaking to RN, Grant said: I spoke to the barber this morning and he just shrugged his shoulders. He seemed to just take it in his stride. This was something that he had to do and he did it. And he didn’t, he was very modest. He was extraordinarily modest about the very brave action that he took yesterday … he did an amazing job.

Albanese ‘shaken’ by alleged attack on MP Anthony Albanese said he feels “shaken” after the attack on Haines. Still speaking on ABC News Breakfast, he said: The fact that an incident like this can occur is something that does shake all of us … It will have an impact on all Australians, not just members of parliament.

Albanese said while “it’s about Helen today and her recovery”, he expected “the debate about political discourse and the way we conduct ourselves will, of course, be ongoing”. The prime minister will be briefed later this morning on the investigation into the attack.

He described Haines as: [Characterised] by her kindness, her compassion, her diligence, her intelligence. She’s someone who is very passionate about advocating for the interests of north Victoria. She’s someone who … was widely respected right across the political spectrum because the way that she advocates is very respectable.

‘It’s very clear that this was a deliberate act’, PM says The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Haines’ alleged attacker “did a U-turn in order to get back to where Helen Haines was” after passing her on the road. The PM has been speaking on ABC TV just now.

He reiterated that he won’t speculate on motivation of the alleged attacker, but said “it’s very clear that this was a deliberate act.” He continued: It would appear that the driver of the vehicle that inflicted the damage to Helen Haines did a U-turn in order to get back to where Helen Haines was after passing where she was getting things from the boot or putting things into the boot of her car.

So it’s clear that there was a deliberate act here, this wasn’t an accident – someone, you know, just getting off the road here. The motivation is not clear at this time. It’s important we don’t speculate on that, but allow facts to be found, and I’m sure that the police investigation will do that.

Morning folks, Stephanie Convery with you now – I’ll be bringing you live updates here for the next little while. We’ve just received an update from the Alfred hospital, where Helen Haines underwent surgery last night. A spokesperson said she remains in a critical condition.

Tim McCurdy and David Pocock shocked by alleged attack on Haines It “beggars belief” that Helen Haines would be involved in an incident like this, Victorian National MP Tim McCurdy told the ABC’s RN this morning. Helen is just a lovely person and I just cannot for the life of me see how anyone could take offence at Helen and have this attitude towards her.

It’s just appalling. McCurdy says he heard about the incident after the state emergency service called him yesterday to “describe what they could”. McCurdy, whose electorate takes in Wangaratta, where the incident occurred, said he usually feels safe in his local area.

I mean, all MPs, but particularly regional MPs, we make ourselves available to everybody wherever at any time. And this is what’s so hard to believe: that if you can’t walk down the street in Wangaratta or any other regional town like this with the fear of this going on, it’s just shocking.

Speaking to RN, independent senator David Pocock echoed McCurdy’s sentiment. Spending time with people in our communities is really at the heart of what we do. I’ve done joint events with Helen down in Indi, and you see hundreds of people wanting to come and talk about what matters to them.

Pocock said people were generally respectful at public events towards MPs but that he had noticed “an uptick in very angry people calling my office”. I’ve had staff in tears having to deal with some of the abuse that they copped. Albanese says MPs’ security a balancing act Asked if security would be stepped up after the attack, Albanese said he doesn’t want politicians to lose the ability to engage with their communities.

We take the advice of the security agencies, including, of course, the Australian federal police, you know, and we act upon that advice, but I never want to lose the opportunity for people to mix with their representatives. That’s a really important part of our democracy.

But we continue to take advice. He added: “I think we can have disagreements without questioning people’s motives or their patriotism.” PM urges reduction in temperature of political debate Anthony Albanese says Australians need to turn down the temperature of political and public debate.

All of us are responsible for that. Whether we’re politicians, whether we’re the media, whether we’re citizens, in just being able to discuss things in a civil way. We can have disagreements in a democracy. Anthony Albanese says the Indi MP, Helen Haines, is still in a critical condition on Tuesday morning, after undergoing surgery last night.

He says Monday’s attack was a deliberate attempt to harm the independent MP. Albanese has told Seven that he spoke with Haines’ husband, Phil, last night, in the hours after the attack. A man remains in police custody. The prime minister is speaking on Channel Seven’s Sunrise program this morning.

He says he will be briefed by police on the investigation into the alleged attack on Helen Haines later this morning, alongside the Victorian premier, Ben Carroll. At this stage its not clear what that motivation was. But he alleged: “It is clear that this wasn’t just an accident – this was an attempt to harm Helen Haines outside Wangaratta at her electorate office.

Helen was getting things from the boot of her car when this incident occurred.” He said: This is a tragic situation. Our thoughts are with her this morning and today and we hope for a full recovery. First of all let’s set out what we know so far about what happened in Wangaratta yesterday.

Helen Haines has been critically injured in an alleged attack involving a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, regional Victoria, at about 3.35pm on Monday. The independent MP was taken to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital and underwent surgery overnight.

She remains in a critical condition. A 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee is in custody, and the alleged attack is being investigated by the Australian federal police, Asio and the joint counter-terror taskforce. The motive is not yet known. A knife was allegedly found in his car after he was detained by a passerby when he got out of his vehicle.

Anthony Albanese, Angus Taylor, the Greens leader, David Shoebridge, the One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, and politicians across the parliament have sent their thoughts and well wishes to Haines and her family. In a 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”.

Addressing the media in Wangaratta on Monday evening, acting supt Ashley Mason said police were still investigating whether the incident was targeted. He said there was no ongoing threat to the community and nothing to indicate the parties were known to each other.

More detail here: Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the alleged attack on the independent MP for Indi, Helen Haines. She is in a critical condition in Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after being struck by a car ourtside her electorate office in Wangaratta yesterday afternoon.

A 43-year-old local man is in custody over the incident. We will have the latest developments and reaction.