Australian lawmaker Helen Haines critically injured in SUV attack
What's new: Police arrested a 43-year-old driver at the scene, and the national counterterrorism team joined the investigation.
Independent federal lawmaker Helen Haines was critically injured Monday after a Toyota Land Cruiser struck her outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described as a deliberate attack. Police arrested a 43-year-old man at the scene after a passerby intervened, and officers seized a knife from inside the SUV. Authorities said they were still investigating motive and whether the crash was intentional, while Albaniaese said the national counterterrorism team, including police and intelligence agencies, had been brought in. Haines, 65, has represented her seat since 2019. The attack renewed concern about threats to Australian politicians after officials reported more than 1,000 threats against parliamentarians in the 2025-26 financial year.