World

Australian MP Helen Haines critical after vehicle attack in Wangaratta

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 19, 2026•3 min read

Independent Australian MP Dr Helen Haines (65) is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. A 43-year-old driver is in custody; a suspected targeted attack is being probed by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

Key Facts

Dr Helen Haines (65), the independent MP for the Victorian electorate of Indi, is in critical condition in hospital after being hit by a vehicle outside her electorate office on Murphy Street, Wangaratta, on Monday (19/10/2026) at around 3:35pm local time.
Haines was loading items into the boot of her car when a white Toyota Landcruiser struck her; witnesses say the driver passed her in the car park before turning back and ramming her, leaving her pinned underneath the vehicle.
The driver, a 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee, was arrested at the scene by a passerby; a flick knife was found in his pocket and seized by police from inside the vehicle. He is in custody and being interviewed to determine whether the act was deliberate.
The incident is being treated as a suspected targeted attack and is under investigation by the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (Australian Federal Police, intelligence agency ASIO, and Victoria Police). The motive is not yet known.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the incident at a press conference on Monday night and offered condolences; Haines' family asked the public to keep her in their thoughts and respect their privacy.
Haines has represented the regional seat of Indi as an independent since 2019 and is known as an advocate for political transparency and integrity in the Australian parliament.

Attacked Outside Her Office

Wangaratta — Dr Helen Haines, the independent MP for the Victorian electorate of Indi, is in critical condition in hospital after being struck by a vehicle outside her electorate office on Monday (19/10/2026) at around 3:35pm local time (11:35am Jakarta time). Haines (65) was loading items into the boot of her car on Murphy Street, Wangaratta, a regional city about three hours' drive from Melbourne.

Witnesses say the driver of a white Toyota Landcruiser passed Haines in the car park before turning back and ramming her, leaving her pinned underneath the vehicle. A local barber pulled the driver from the car and restrained him after finding a flick knife in his pocket. The 43-year-old man from Tarrawingee is now in custody and being interviewed to determine whether the act was deliberate.

Counter-Terrorism Team Takes Over

The incident is being treated as a suspected targeted attack. The investigation is being handled by the national Joint Counter Terrorism Team — comprising the Australian Federal Police (AFP), intelligence agency ASIO, and Victoria Police — alongside state police. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the incident at a press conference on Monday night. "It is too early in this investigation for me to provide you with details of what the motivation is behind this attack," he said. He confirmed the suspect is in custody and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

In an official statement, Haines' family said the 65-year-old politician is receiving medical care and asked the public to keep her in their thoughts and respect the privacy of her family and staff.

Who Is Helen Haines

Haines has represented the regional seat of Indi as an independent since 2019. She is known as an advocate for political transparency and integrity, and is often an influential crossbench voice in the Australian parliament.