Politics latest: Anthony Albanese: Hospitalised MP Helen Haines targeted in car attack (Australian Member of Parliament seriously injured, possible deliberate attack)

The Australian ^ | 19th October 2026 | Aris Schuler-Shah , Rosie Lewis , Elizabeth Pike and Sarah Ison

[naturalman1975]

Anthony Albanese says Independent MP Helen Haines was attacked outside her electoral office.

A major police investigation is underway and a suspect is in custody, the Prime Minister told reporters at a press conference in Sydney on Monday night.

This afternoon Helen Haines was attacked outside her electoral office in Wangaratta,” Mr Albanese said.

“Our thoughts remain with Helen Haines at this very difficult time.”

Mr Albanese confirmed the Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and ASIO were working together on the case. He also confirmed authorities would check the history of the 43-year-old man being treated as a suspect in the attack on Ms Haines.

“The Joint Counterterrorism Team has been activated, but the motive is not known,” he said.

“I’ve spoken with Victorian Premier Ben Carroll, and have been briefed by AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

“It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack.”

Mr Albanese described Ms Haines as “incredibly hardworking, fiercely intelligent, but most importantly, she’s just a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity and respected right across the Parliament and from everyone who comes into contact with her”.

“She is a well-loved member of her community, and this will come as an incredible shock to that community.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in the financial year before last, the parliament received 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against various high office holders.

“In the more recent financial year, that 951 has gone to 1067,” Mr Burke said.

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TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: anthonyalbanese; arisschulershah; assassinationplots; australia; elizabethpike; haines; helenhaines; rosielewis; sarahison; wangaratta; widdecombe

[naturalman1975]

Helen Haines is an independent (not party affiliated) member of Australia's House of Representatives. She represents a rural electorate from Victoria (Wangaratta). She's a significant figure in pushing for integrity and anti-corruption measures in Australian politics. She's considered a centrist in Australian terms - some conservative policies, some progressive ones.

Whatever her politics, nobody should be attacked like this - if that is what has happened. It seems probable at this point, and it's being treated as such but I wouldn't call it definite yet.

[mewzilla]

Widdecombe, now Haines.

Both women.

Deep States like easy targets.

[naturalman1975]

While I think it’s important not to jump to conclusions, as I understand it, Widdecombe was apparently murdered just before she was going to appear on a current affairs program.

As I understand it, Haines was just about to appear on an Australian radio program when she was injured today.

[PghBaldy]

I hope she recovers as completely as possible, and the attacker is charged and convicted and punished severely.

“The ABC reported the member for Indi was undergoing emergency surgery in Melbourne after sustaining severe lower-body injuries in the incident. She was flown to Melbourne on Monday evening.” https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/independent-mp-helen-haines-struck-by-car-outside-electorate-office-in-wangaratta/news-story/520e62a65075278e1ab627748735ba2c

[VanShuyten]

Coulter’s Rule?