Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a suspect is in custody after independent MP Helen Haines was attacked outside her electorate office in regional Victoria on Monday afternoon.
Mr Albanese spoke at a press conference on Monday evening, explaining a major police investigation was underway, with the joint counter-terrorism team activated following the incident in Wangaratta.
“There is a major police investigation underway, and I can confirm that a suspect is in custody,” he said.
“The Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, and ASIO are working together on this.”
Mr Albanese stressed the motive behind the attack remained unknown and warned against speculation.
“It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack,” he said.
“Helen Haines is incredibly hardworking. She is fiercely intelligent, but most importantly, she’s just a thoroughly decent human being, full of integrity, and respected right across the Parliament,” he said.
“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 also addressed the incident, revealing reports of harassment and threatening behaviour towards high office holders had risen from 951 to 1067 in the most recent financial year.
Dr Haines was reportedly struck by a four-wheel-drive outside her electorate office on Murphy Street in Wangaratta about 3.30pm on Monday.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 4pm.
According to 7NEWS, Dr Haines was retrieving items from the boot of her car in a parking bay when the incident occurred.
A barber working nearby reportedly rushed to assist, helping a male driver out of the four-wheel-drive.
Dr Haines’ family released a statement confirming she was receiving medical treatment.
“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care. We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response,” they said.
“Our family, and Helen’s staff, will be making no further comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media.
“Please keep Helen in your thoughts.”
Mr Albanese said the thoughts of the nation were with Dr Haines, her family and the wider 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 said.
Dr Haines, a mother of three, has represented the federal seat of Indi since 2019.
The full extent of her injuries remains unclear.
It comes after several Australia MPs and public figures have sounded the alarm on death threats and abuse in recent weeks. It includes Communications Minister Anika Wells and Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek who have both been subject to death threats this term.
A man was arrested in December 2025 after Ms Wells had received an email from a man promising to kill not only her but to murder her three children under the age of 10.
In an address to a Labor women in politics event last week, Ms Plibersek highlighted the growing threat against Australian politicians and referenced the attacks abroad.
Several politicians have been attacked while in office including former conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe who was found dead in her Devon home in July, age 78.
UK Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed multiple times to death in 2016 outside her constituency surgery in West Yorkshire with the murder deemed an act of terrorism.
“I think we like to tell ourselves that the political violence we see abroad could never happen here,” Ms Plibersek said. “That an MP could never be bludgeoned to death in her home or shot in the street – as was the case in the tragic killings of Ann Widdicombe and Jo Cox.
“In the last year alone, at least half a dozen men have been arrested or charged for making threats against women in state or federal parliaments.
“Nine in 10 female politicians in this country experience persistent abuse or intimidation for daring to participate in our democracy.
“For female representatives across party lines, weathering a constant barrage of online abuse is now considered part of the job.”
In an interview with The West Australian earlier this month, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett warned the number of parliamentarians receiving threatening communication had risen, particularly those from minority backgrounds and women.
“There are a number of particular parliamentarians that do have a greater volume of threatening communication,” she said.
Ms Barrett admitted it was also something she dealt with herself.
“I have had that as well as a senior prominent figure, particularly a law enforcement figure. Again, there has been some gender to that as well,” she said. “At the end of the day, I have a job to do. I’m representing a whole workforce of incredible people that are working so hard every single day to protect this community.”
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