Helen Haines: Counter-terror investigation after Australian MP hit by car

An Australian MP has been attacked outside her office and is in a critical condition, the country's prime minister Anthony Albanese has said.

Independent MP Helen Haines, 65, was injured after being struck by a white Toyota Land Cruiser SUV near her office in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne, at around 3.35pm on Monday.

She was unloading items from the boot of a car in a car park when she was hit, 7News reported.

Ms Haines, who was first elected to parliament in 2019 to represent Indi, Victoria, was critically injured in the incident and airlifted to hospital.

Victoria Police said a knife was found in the Toyota and officers were investigating whether the incident was "intentional".

A 43-year-old Tarrawingee man was detained at the scene by a passerby, the force said.

The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for questioning.

It is not yet known whether the suspect and victim were known to each other, police added.

Mr Albanese told a news conference a "major police investigation" was under way and the joint counterterrorism unit had been activated, but it was too early to determine the motive for the "attack".

"Helen Haines is incredibly hardworking, she is fiercely intelligent, but most importantly she is a thoroughly decent human being - full of integrity and is respected right across parliament and everyone who comes into contact with her," Mr Albanese said.

He said she was "well-loved" and the incident would come as an "incredible shock" to her community.

"All ​of our thoughts are with Helen, her family, her friends, her ​team, and her ⁠community at this ⁠extremely difficult time. We are praying for ‌her full recovery," he added.

​Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason told reporters there was ⁠no further threat to the public.

In a statement, reported by ABC News, the MP's family said she was "receiving medical care".

"We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response.

"Our family, and Helen's staff, will be making no further comments at this time... please keep Helen in your thoughts."

Ms Haines has opposed ​proposals including making political donations to the major parties more secretive, banning mobile phones in immigration detention and spending billions on fossil fuel subsidies, according to her website.

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Home affairs minister Tony Burke said there had been a surge in threats made against politicians in Australia.

Police received 1,067 reports of "harassing and threatening behaviour" targeting high office holders in the 2025-26 financial year, up from 951 the previous year.

Federal opposition Leader Angus Taylor said: "This is a shocking day for our nation."

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said she was "horrified" and "saddened" by the attack on Ms Haines.

"Violence against any elected representative, whoever they are and whatever they stand for, is never acceptable in Australia. Members of parliament and their staff must be able to serve their communities without fearing for their safety," she said.

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