The independent MP Helen Haines has been critically injured in an alleged attack involving a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, in regional Victoria.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, confirmed on Monday night that a man is in custody after an alleged attack on Haines that was now being investigated by the Australian federal police (AFP), Asio and the joint counter-terror taskforce.
He said the motive for the alleged attack was not known, and would not comment on whether the suspect was known to police.
“Helen Haines is incredibly hard-working. She is 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,” Albanese said.
He said he respected her integrity most of all.
“It doesn’t mean we always agree, but I always agree that her motives are good,” Albanese said.
“Our thoughts remain with Helen Haines at this very difficult time.”
The prime minister and Victoria police said they were not aware of any recent direct threats to Haines.
Albanese later said on the ABC’s 730 program that while he did not want to speculate on the motivation for the alleged attack, he had repeatedly warned “the temperature has increased in recent times” in relation to politics.
He had feared that would increase the risk of political violence occurring in Australia that had been seen in other western democracies.
Albanese, who became emotional at times during the interview, said he first was told that Haines had been injured in a car accident, before being informed it was allegedly a deliberate act.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, also said there had been an increase in threats towards politicians.
“The year before last, we had 951 reports of harassing and threatening behaviour against various high office holders. The more recent financial year, that 951 has gone to 1,067,” he said.
In a statement, Haines’ family confirmed that she had been injured and thanked bystanders for their assistance.
“This afternoon, our beloved Helen was involved in an incident outside her Wangaratta Electorate Office, and is receiving medical care,” they said in the statement.
“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 comment at this time, and ask that their privacy be respected by the public and media.
“Please keep Helen in your thoughts.”
Haines has been airlifted to hospital in Melbourne.
In a statement, Victoria police said a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, about 10km from Wangaratta, was in custody and that a knife had allegedly been found in his car. They alleged he had been detained by a passerby when he exited the car.
The statement said the woman that was struck was in a critical condition.
“Police have arrested a man after a woman was struck by a vehicle in Wangaratta this afternoon.
“It is understood a white Toyota LandCruiser struck the 65-year-old woman outside an office on Murphy Street about 3.35pm.”
Police said that they were investigating as to whether it was an intentional act, and it was not known if “the parties are known to each other”.
Speaking at the scene, acting Supt Ashley Mason said it was being treated as an isolated incident.
He said that the bystanders who assisted in the arrest and with Haines should be commended for acting as they did when confronted with a “horrific tragic incident”.
Emergency services had been called to the scene of the incident at Murphy Street on Monday afternoon.
According to the Victorian Emergency Services website, two vehicles responded and the road was closed after the incident.
In a social media post, the Nationals MP, Michael McCormack, said it was “such awful news”.
“Sending my love and best wishes to Helen Haines for a full and speedy recovery,” McCormack said.
Police were expected to release a statement regarding the incident on Monday night.
Haines has represented the electorate of Indi since 2019.
