Australian lawmaker Helen Haines fighting for her life after heinous car attack

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A car hit an Australian federal independent lawmaker on Monday, critically injuring her in an apparent deliberate αttαᑕk, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

The driver was arrested.

Helen Haines, 65, was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV outside her electoral district office mid-afternoon in the city of Wangaratta in Victoria state, a police said.

Independent member for Indi, Helen Haines, speaks during a press conference at Parliament House. — Australian politician Helen Haines was struck by a vehicle outside her election office on Monday. Getty Images

Police officers at the scene outside the office of Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines in Wangaratta. — Police officers gather at the scene after Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haines was struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta. AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION (ABC)/AFP via Getty Images

Albanese said the national counterterrorism team, incorporating police and intelligence agencies, was investigating.

“This wasn’t an accident. There was a deliberate act, it would appear. We don’t know what the motivation is,” Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Police tape surrounds a white four-wheel drive vehicle and a cordoned-off street following an incident outside an electorate office. — Cops have sealed off the scene in Wangaratta. 7 News

The 43-year-old driver was arrested at the scene by a passerby. He will be interviewed in relation to the incident, police said.

“A knife was located by police and seized from inside the Toyota,” police said.

“At this stage, police are investigating as to whether this was an intentional act,” police added.

Independent Member for Indi Dr. Helen Haines speaks in the House of Representatives in Parliament House. — Helen Haines speaks in the House of Representatives in Parliament House on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Canberra, Australia. Getty Images

Haines, who was first elected to the Parliament in 2019, was taken to a hospital with ᑕriᩚtiᩚcal injuries, police said.

The episode has renewed safety concerns for Australian lawmakers, in a country where politicians have historically been highly accessible to the public and usually go about their business without security officers present. But public incitement against officials is growing.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said in 2025 that threats against parliamentarians had doubled over the past three years.

Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra. — Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Getty Images

Crime scene tape blocks off the street outside Independent MP Helen Haines' electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, where she was struck by a car. — Police are at the scene where Helen Haines was deliberately struck by a car outside her electorate office in Victoria. 9News

Police data showed more than 1,000 such threats against politicians in the 2025-2026 financial year, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Monday.

Albanese told the ABC it was “unfortunate” that an increasingly polarized political climate had already led to security changes for Australia’s lawmakers.

“I think there has been a rise in temperature and there has been too much shouting, not enough discourse, not enough polite conversation and disagreement,” he said Monday. There was “no question” that social media played a part, Albanese added.

A street scene with police tape cordoning off the area outside Independent MP Helen Haines' electorate office in Wangaratta. — Police are at the scene where Helen Haines was deliberately struck by a car on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. 9News

Helen Haines and her husband Phil Haines arrive at the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House. — Helen Haines, and her husband Phil Haines at a ball at Canberra’s Parliament House in July 2024. Getty Images

In Britain, murders of politicians have prompted bolstered security. Labour lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed in 2016 by a far-right extremist, and Conservative David Amess was stabbed in 2021 by an attacker inspired by the Islamic State group.

In July, the former politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe was found slain with a hammer at her home.