Updated October 19, 2026 — 7:26pm,first published 6:27pm
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Independent MP Helen Haines has been attacked, suffering critical injuries when she was hit by a four-wheel drive outside her regional Victoria electorate office in Wangaratta in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says is a “serious incident”.
Victorian police say they arrested a man after a white Toyota Landcruiser struck Haines outside her office on Murphy Street at 3:35pm. The driver, a 43-year-old, was arrested at the scene by a passerby and a knife found inside his vehicle.
Police said the man was now being interviewed over the incident to determine if it was a deliberate act.
Albanese said the major police investigation would also involve the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, but he said it was too early to say what had motivated the attack.
“I want to update Australians on a serious incident that has occurred in Victoria this afternoon. Helen Haines, the member for Indi, was attacked outside her electorate office in Wangaratta,” Albanese said in a press conference on Monday evening.
“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. I want to thank the first responders for their extraordinary work.”
A statement from Haines’ family on Monday afternoon asked that the public keep the 65-year-old in their thoughts.
“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,” the statement read.
“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 became the first independent MP to succeed another independent at the 2019 federal election, when she replaced Cathy McGowan in Indi.
The sprawling regional Victorian electorate spans from Marysville to Wodonga and Mount Hotham, and takes in towns including Lake Eildon, Beechworth, Corryong, Myrtleford and the alpine town of Porepunkah.
A former nurse, midwife and health researcher, Haines has advocated for better telecommunications infrastructure and for the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The regional city of Wangaratta, about two hours and 40 minutes’ drive northeast of Melbourne, is home to about 30,000 people.
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