Australian politician critically injured after being struck by car outside her office
By
News.com.au
Published Oct. 19, 2026, 4:57 a.m. ET
See more of our coverage in your search results.
asserted
politician → injure → results
Independent MP Helen Haines is fighting for life after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in northeast Victoria.
asserted
Haines → fight → Victoria
Haines, the federal member for the seat of Indi, was struck by a white Toyota Landcruiser outside her office on Murphy St in Wangaratta – more than 230km from Melbourne – about 3.35pm on Monday.
asserted
Haines → strike → Monday
7News reports Haines was unloading items from the boot of a car in a parking bay when she was struck, and she has “severe lower body injuries”.
asserted
she → report → injuries
It is understood a man has been arrested after a local barber rushed out to help.
asserted
barber → understand → ?
Haines was elected to federal parliament in 2019, replacing fellow Voices for Indi independent Cathy McGowan.
asserted
Haines → elect → McGowan
She was re-elected at the 2022 and 2025 elections.
asserted
She → re → elections
On her website, Haines, 65, says the northeast of Victoria has been her home for almost 40 years.
asserted
northeast → say → years
“My husband and I run a small farm, our kids went to school here, and I plan to grow old here.
asserted
I → run → school
“Through my work as a nurse, midwife and health researcher, I’ve cared for people in our community during some of their most important moments.”
asserted
I → care → moments
In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed a Tarrawingee man, 43, has been arrested at the scene.
asserted
man → confirm → scene
“He will be interviewed in relation to the incident,” a spokeswoman said.
asserted
spokeswoman → interview → incident
“A knife was located by police and seized from inside the Toyota.
asserted
knife → locate → Toyota
“At this stage, police are investigating as to whether this was an intentional act.
asserted
this → investigate → stage
“It is not known yet if the parties are known to each other.
“
asserted
parties → know → other
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said a major police investigation was underway, involving the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
asserted
investigation → say → Police
The Joint Counter-Terrorism Team has also been activated.
asserted
Team → activate → ?
He said it was “too early” to suspect any motive behind the incident, which he described as an “attack”.
asserted
he → say → attack
“(Helen) is a well-loved member of her community and this will come as an incredible shock to her community”, Albanese said.
asserted
Albanese → love → community
“We are praying for her full recovery.
asserted
We → pray → recovery
I want to thank the first responders for their extraordinary work.”
asserted
I → want → work
Albanese said Haines was thoroughly respected across parliament and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the investigation was still in its early stages.
asserted
investigation → say → stages
“The year before last, we had 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against various high-office holders.
asserted
we → have → holders
That… has gone to 1067,” he said.
asserted
he → go → 1067
In a statement, Haines’ family said the MP was receiving medical care after the incident.
asserted
MP → say → incident
“We thank the swift assistance of bystanders and the dedicated health workers who assisted her, and police for their response,” the family said.
asserted
family → thank → response
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
asserted
Report → start → news
“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.
asserted
privacy → make → public
On Sunday, Haines took to social media posting a picture of herself with the Australian flag.
asserted
Haines → take → flag
“Our national flags are powerful symbols of who we are as Australians – our history, our values and the country we’re proud to call home,” she wrote.
asserted
she → ’re → Australians
“It’s been an honour to present flags to St Joseph’s Primary School in Benalla, local students undertaking Rotary exchanges, such as Lucy who is heading to Germany, and Kerribana Primary School in Baranduda.
asserted
who → present → Baranduda
I hope these flags inspire pride in our country and conversations about what it means to be Australian.”
asserted
it → hope → what
The Aporia
